Sound Bites is a place that is well-situated in the Ball Square area and generates lots of clientele from Tufts University students. The prices are affordable and the portion sizes are large. I have come here a few times with my girlfriend and ordered a few items. Here are my thoughts on these products. Eggs Benedict-- this dish was okay. The eggs were cooked well, but the holllandaise sauce, a make-or-break-your-dish sauce, was not done so well. It was very greasy and made without proper technique-- it should've been smooth and creamy instead of heavy and solid. Nevertheless, the food was filling. Banana-Nut Cakes--Rich, nutty, sweet and fluffy, a total hit and a must recommend. I would say that of all the items listed, this is their specialty. Boston's Best Blue- Very filling once again. Unfortunately, I highly doubt that the tasty blueberry muffin that was toasted on the griddle was made on premises. Negative points for that. The bacon was very thin and not of the highest quality, but serviceable. The cheddar cheese omelet was okay--but nothing better than anything I could make myself. Sweet Pepper Corned Beef Hash-- The corned beef hash tastes really good-- a nice combination of salted corned beef and moist, mashed potatoes. The waiter staff and manager were both friendly and attentive everytime that I have come here. The self-serve drinks selection was certainly different and the drinks themselves are a bit overpriced for my liking. The dishes though come a bit uncharacteristically fast, which suggest that most of the food isn't prepared fresh though. Come here for a large breakfast once and a while if you have nowhere better to go and are in the area--the food is okay and affordable.
(3)
Michelle C.
4.5 on the Benny Scale I've been on a search for the Best Benny in Boston 2010. My #1 fav spot, Grecian Yearning in Allson, sadly, burned down (sniff) and I've been in search of benny ever since. This was my first trip here and definately won't be the last. The Avacado & tomatoe eggs benny was Delic! The hollandais was creamy smooth with lemoney goodness and the avacado portion was Huge!...and the potatoes!! I loooved that they were GRILLED mashed potatoes with a little bit of heat to them and all golden crusted....yummmmm (I posted a pix). My only complaint was that the english muffin was toasted lightly and my eggs were a little on the poached well side...I like my muffin with more of a crunch to it and my eggs lightly poached so the yolk breaks and runs everywhere. When my friend and I arrived (11ish on Sunday), there was a line out the door, but because it was just the two of us, we were seated immediately. The waitstaff was fast, friendly and efficient and the prices were fair. Even though the place was packed, I didn't feel rushed. I will definately be back for more!
(4)
M. M.
I invited my friends with two daughters for the breakfast. It wasn't crowded on Thursday morning. The breakfast was excellent. Kids loved the dessert. Very nice clean place, fast service and generous portions.
(5)
Ayad S.
Best service..food..coffee ever .. I would recommend this place to everyone .. I lovee green eggs at soundbites and all kind of food is awesome .. fruit always fresh .. coffee is best coffee I had ever
(5)
Lily W.
I don't care what anyone says; I'm a fan. Given, I haven't been to many brunch places, and am by no means a connoisseur, so take what you will from my review. I came on a weekday afternoon with my boyfriend, and was ecstatic to know that they serve breakfast all day. We were told "anywhere you like" once we came in, and the wait staff were very accomodating to seat us next to the window. I usually stay away from the pancake/waffle/french toast options in favor of omelettes and eggs, but today I found myself debating between two of many stuffed french toast options: the peanut butter and banana or nutella and banana (I chose the latter), while my partner chose to go with a big breakfast platter with two eggs over easy, sausage, pancakes, and whole wheat toast. Our food came (with quite large portions!) and mine came with sliced banana on top, as well as butter and a little cap of maple syrup. It was quite good; there was, surprisingly, a citrus-y flavor to my french toast, I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it worked well. I tried a forkful of my boyfriend's pancakes and enjoyed those immensely. There wasn't much to RAVEEEE about but I definitely enjoyed what I ate for the price and would definitely visit again. The wait staff were friendly, in my opinion (maybe they are only nice when they are not frazzled by weekend brunch-goers) and the options were extensive and seemed extremely yummy. I was a little confused by the self-serve nature of the drinks, so I opted for water.
(4)
Cammy C.
Not a huge fan of breakfast foods to begin with, but Sound Bites offers a hearty meal for a cheap price.The food was pretty good for the most part, the service was a little shabby. I had never had a grilled blueberry muffin before, it sounded kind of weird but it was actually quite good! The country fries were not what I expected, they were more like mashed potatoes, but still tasty! The grilled cheese omelet was just okaaayy, and the french toast was the biggest disappointment. SO DRY and tasteless. Also, I don't like that they put feta cheese and goat cheese in a lot of their dishes. But I like that the coffees and teas are all self serve with free refills, and you can even take a cup with you to-go! The worst part was that towards the end of our meal, my friend and I wanted to sit for a minute and enjoy another cup of coffee but our waitress kept rushing us to sign the bill, and then taking all our plates away, even with food still on it! And then proceeded to wipe down our table before we even left. I understand that there is usually a long line out the door, but we waited for that table just like everyone else has to, and we deserve a fair amount of time to sit and enjoy our meal.
(3)
Ali M.
Three stars to me means good enough to try and make your own assumptions. Went on a Sunday at 9:45am, 10+ people line out the door and we were seated and had coffee within 4 minutes of walking up. Not too shabby. The coffee self serve bar is amazing but $3.00/cup though for self serve is pushing it. They were quick. And I love it. Was checked on by multiples of people which was nice and attentive. Best turkey sausage breakfast sandwich I'd ever tasted. Breakfast egg bowl was legit as well. I'd go again to try something else. It's packed, but service is great.
(3)
Matt W.
I love this place, especially at night. The food is excellent, they have the full breakfast menu available at night, along with a good selection of american and middle eastern food. They also make a great burger. The bartender is awesome, very knowledgeable and makes awesome mixed drinks, as well as keeping a great selection of beer on tap and in bottles. You aren't going to find Budweiser or Miller on tap here, they have some of the best craft breweries on tap (Lagunitas, Clown Shoes, Jack's Abby, Baxter Brewing, and many more), and the beer selection changes fairly regularly. It's a great place to watch a sports game, there are TVs everywhere. You can easily see one from any seat in the place. I can't recommend this place enough. Good food, good drinks, and great staff.
(5)
Jeff T.
Owner completely took care of me! Was in town from Seattle and parked in loading zone out front-- as soon as I stepped in the store he advised me I would get a ticket, so he said he would meet me across the street with quarters, and he did so promptly!! Fresh fruit on the house and amazing breakfast! Couldn't have asked for better treatment! Made me feel at home. Thank you!!!
(5)
Ziyan C.
Yummy... great brunch. Not the absolute best in the Boston area.. I'd still prefer Neighborhood any day (since you get like a 4 course meal, and the wheat meal is AWESOME).. but Sound Bites is still up there. I'm really glad I came here and tried it. Also love that they have breakfast all day. We got free fruit plates.. nice touch. Service here was good & casual. You have to get your own water. They came by a bunch of times to get our order but we weren't ready, and when we finally were ready the service seemed to disappear. We ordered: (Special) Strawberry, banana, cream cheese stuffed french toast - really good! Special was supposed to be blueberries but they left me sub in strawberries. This was delicious; however I was a little disappointed it wasn't actually *stuffed* french toast but more like a french toast sandwich. Doesn't stay together as well when you're eating. Cereal walnut almond french toast - delicious, but a lot sweeter than the stuffed french toast. Loved all the fruit on top. Greek omelette - they make their omelettes fluffy - just a personal preference thing, but I don't like them as much this way. This was ok.. not spectacular. Their
(4)
Melly H.
Was in the area and wanted to check out sound bites. It was one of those freezing mornings and the wait was about 15min for a seat, although there is not much waiting space we were able to stand inside which was nice. Once seated the server explained the drink service, which is self serve. Not that I mind getting my own drink it makes it a bit difficult when the place is packed. I ordered the western omelet and home fries the omelette which was good and had fresh veggies the home fries are not really my taste, they are more like mashed potato. The owner came by the table to chat for a bit which is always nice. Overall good place, I'll return.
(3)
AJ J.
This place is awesome. Everything I've had there is awesome (although I only ever get breakfast food), they're open late, prices are reasonable, and you never leave feeling hungry. I like it better than the Ball Square Cafe, but that might be because I'm used to it.
(5)
Mervett H.
Now that I've discovered the other breakfast restaurants in the area, I feel that I can say that Sound Bites is just ok. Standard omelettes and toast, a good space, a filling breakfast -- it just.. is. I will give them this - they do serve a good amount of food so if you're looking to skip your other meals, a Sound Bites breakfast can fill you up. Our waitress was sweet but this other guy was pretty much hovering over us once we had finished our food. It was a Tuesday afternoon - there was plenty of space so it wasn't a matter of us holding up some line. Long review short: great for quantity, standard for quality.
(3)
Elise N.
Thank you to Sound Bites for a great breakfast this morning - despite it being almost 11am on a Saturday morning we didn't have to wait very long and even if we had had to wait, it would've been worth it! The giant fruit bowl they offer is totally worth the price - like 12 or 13 fruits in one bowl! Lots of unique offerings like stuffed french toast, delish! See full review here at The Academic Chef.
(4)
Sharif E.
I went with my girlfriend and loved the food. I had the challah French toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream. When they say fresh fruit they are not playing around. The French toast would have been good alone but the watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, mango, bananas, grapes just to name a few. They were all in season and so sweet. I didn't need to add the maple syrup at all but I did. You can call it greedy I guess. The "No Place like Home Fries" had a slight orange taste to them no way overwhelming, but wakes up potatoes in a great way. My girlfriend had the stuffed French toast that was hiding the goat cheese and pear. I won't even speak on the omelette she had looked amazing if I wasn't allergic to mushrooms. I would have defiantly sampled. When in Somerville or Massachusetts for that matter of fact I will make sure I stop at soundbites for breakfast. These days customer service tends to suck. The staff at soundbites don't fall into that category at all. They were attentive and quick, another plus why I will return.
(4)
Jonathan M.
I lived near sound bites for years and it has remained my hands down favorite place for brunch/breakfast. The food is amazing with lots of options, the prices are fair and the fact you can just go get your coffee and juice is amazing. The owner Yasser figured out I was regular after my 3rd visit...he not only gave me free fruit when I came in but made it a point to ask me about my day. I live a bit further from it now and whenever I can, I make it a point to go there for brunch.
(5)
Jacqueline B.
Do yourself a favor: get a grilled corn muffin, share an order of French toast, and keep refilling your self serve coffee mug. The staff is super friendly, and quick to bring your food. No rushing here, so chill with your cup of Joe and eat away the hangover.
(5)
Sarah Q.
First, let me say that I came to Sound Bites for a private event (movie screening), and have not been on a regular day. Three stars for a surprising beer collection and decent food. However, the service was terrible! The bartender was clearly trying really hard, but was clearly understaffed and overwhelmed. Plus, the credit machine behind the bar was down, so he had to keep pushing through the crowd to run credit cards over at the coffee counter. Oy. I would definitely go back on a regular day to check it out.
(3)
Christie N.
Wow. This place has the best breakfast I've ever had. I don't live anywhere near Cambridge but I am certain that I will be back soon and often. I ordered the Blueberry & Mascarpone Cheese French Toast - It was fantastic. I didn't put any syrup on it because it was perfect just the way it was. I also ordered a side of corned beef hash. It was cooked perfectly and a perfectly balanced ratio of corned beef to potatoes. My friends and I all shared our meals, so I got to try the corned beef hash eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce is perfectly smooth, rich, and creamy. No lumps, and made from scratch. The home fries are awesome, even though I had my doubts. It looks like very lumpy mashed potatoes formed into a patty, with a hint of roasted garlic...and then grilled. Not what I am used to, but delicious, nonetheless. I also tried french toast stuffed with goat cheese, cranberries, and apples. Goat cheese is kind of risky because it can be barnyardish at times...But this was perfect. The sweet/tart/creamy combination was great. The place is super busy. Although there was a line, it moved pretty quickly. The service was excellent. My friend dropped her napkin. Within seconds, before we even had the chance to summon a server for another napkin, someone flew over to the table to give her another napkin. The only downside to this place (other than the fact that it's too far away from my house) is the self-serve coffee/beverages. It's old school and charming in that way, but it can be a real cluster**** when a bunch of people all decide at the same time that they want coffee. But really - go to this place. Once you've had the food here, Sound Bites will be one of those places that you seek out because you have a hankering for a perfect breakfast that you can't get anywhere else.
(5)
Joe R.
I like Sound Bites because I get to meet my friends here, who just love the place. I'm a basic coffee first, then some eggs and toast. They just do these things ok. With what is going on with food, I think a shake up is needed. More variety, a little more pepper and salt, a different take on coffee. A good greasy spoon!
(3)
Conor M.
Don't buy the hype. Horrendous service. Way over priced. Under cooked bacon is a tragedy. Don't disrespect bacon like that. Damn.
(1)
P. M.
Easy to get a table, but many of the employees are rude. I got a fruit plate here an it was kind of...expired. I've had a few different omelets. Nothing too special! Because they can be so rude, the average food tastes even worse. Only reason to go is to skip the line or to get booze. I go next store...Worth the wait.
(3)
Mike R.
Nothing special, and the fruit did not seem fresh. My date and I both decided we would never like to go back; I am sure there are many local options like this almost wherever you are in Cambridge. Some other facts: big portions, sugary, the homefries tasted like mashed potatoes, avocado on the eggs benedict was good, eggs themselves cooked well, tomato was not good, date thought the caramelized fruit on the french toast was used because it would have gone bad if not cooked. Update: the management kindly offered my date and I an opportunity to return for free along with an apology.
(2)
Luke B.
Sound bites is a decent place to grab breakfast, the line is usually not to huge early on the weekends and they can usually accommodate larger parties. The reason for the 2 stars is because of the way they try to corral you in and out of the restaurant, it's like a f-ing cattle auction. I usually go out to breakfast when I have friends or family in town and for that reason I like to be able to chill out and take my time eating breakfast and catching up with my peeps. I understand that they need to turn their tables and that they're business model is based on trying to get the most heads in and out especially on the weekend, but Mr. Soundbite you have to temper this practice with a little customer service, your staff has to actually attempt to realistically gauge whether people seem like they're done. Your staff should be able to notice that if I have a 1/2 of my food left on my plate and my coffee is full and my fork is still traveling to the plate and then to my mouth with food on it as they walk over and that I haven't left my card on the check that they dropped 35 seconds after my food arrived THAT I'M NOT F-ING FINISHED! I hate dishonest questions and it insults my intelligence to be asked "are you done with that when the obvious underlying question is "will you please hurry up so I can jam another group in". I have almost gotten into a screaming match with 2 employees at this fine establishment after being asked "are you done with that" 3 or 4 times in a 3 or 4 minute period by the same employee. The last time I was here I was finishing my coffee and the manager actually came up to me and said "you can take that to go you know"...seriously?? And it's not like we're spending hours there, maybe AN hour at most. As such the "thank you have a nice day" as I have left the last couple times has been as fake as their default pancake syrup. All this being said, call me a masochist i still find myself here often because the food is pretty good, the fruit plates are huge and the coffee is delicious. Just be prepared to have to tell some bussers and the manager to f-off a few times and hold onto your seat while your eating or they'll pull it out from under you. They are a 3/3.5 star joint for the food but when I'm going out to eat the overall experience is what counts.
(2)
Alex Q.
The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, and the food's good. The self-service drink thing is a little weird, but that's my only (small) complaint, if you can call it that.
(4)
Tyler A.
No Yasser. You lack basic knowledge on how to run a business. If so, you would have addressed this matter when I brought it up to you outside of Sound Bites where you were smoking a cigarette. You don't care because people will keep going because they lack alternatives. I have better places to go such as Ball Square or Alfresco and would not step back in Sound Bites free meal or not. Good places get good reviews. Take a tip from Davis Square Pizza...I gave them a bad review, they are right next to my apartment. The owner contacted me like a gentleman, didn't try to bribe me or harass me, just said, "hey, I screwed up, give me a chance and I will make it better, please remove your negative review" and I did because HE knows how a business is run. Just a Note 3/31/2012 New! Photo of yasser m. 3 friends 0 reviews yasser m. Somerville, MA Send Message All your reviews are just trying to hurt business , so we don't need you in our business , no breakfast for you . Approve Delete Block User Just a Note 2/10/2012 New! Photo of yasser m. 3 friends 0 reviews yasser m. Somerville, MA Send Message For your review of: Sound Bites Sorry, I'm not sending you a gift certificate , we don't like your respond
(1)
Lynn C.
2pm on a cold sunny sunday afternoon and i wanted pancakes. A quick Bing search on "pancakes in Boston" brought up sound bite. I recalled how often the name came up on the Yelp Talk forum and I said, let's go get some pancakes and there we were! I wouldn't say this place is in the middle of nowhere, but it definitely felt like it as we pulled up to a street parking spot across the street from the restaurant. My boyfriend was a little uncertain about its appearance on the outside, but I told him that if my fellow yelpers said it's good, then it must be good. When we walked in, we were immediately excited by the cool-casual atmosphere and the little coffee bar at the corner of the restaurant. We got a table right away, and our server was friendly and helpful. My blueberry pancakes were just okay i guess, not very sweet, which can be a good thing or bad thing depending on how big of a sweet tooth you have. Their syrup isn't so sweet either. My boyfriend's breakfast plate was amazing though. The sausage links were not like your typical IHOP/Mcdonalds, but tasted better. Their home fries were....THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD. Seriously, i don't know what kinda crack they put in there, but I walked in not feeling very hungry, and i ate all of my boyfriend's home fries (which looked kinda like mashed potatoes but had this distinct indescribable flavour). The coffee wasn't strong enough for me, but it was good coffee nonetheless. I just love the whole experience of the place, sitting there casually in the afternoon eating good food. I might just be a regular here.
(4)
Chris M.
Best breakfast I had in a long time. I had the eggs Benedict and a side of pancakes, and both were phenomenal. Service was also excellent, waiter was very attentive. I love the outdoor seating, and they open up the restaurant wall so you get the benefit of almost being outside, but also the shade and comfort of indoor seating. I don't write yelp reviews - ever, but I had such a great experience here I had to. If there is one negative it's the price, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
N D.
This is the kind of weekend brunch place where you wait in a long, but quick, line, chat a bit with friends, eat, and go. Most of the patrons don't linger, and the atmosphere is relaxed but efficient. I was surprised by the length of the menu - it goes on for several pages, and it's quite extensive. The food is good, and it meets the needs of most types of allergies and restrictions. The portions are generous and filling. The food is overall good and consistent. This isn't necessarily gourmet brunch, but it's definitely comfort food that's well-made. The beverages are self-serve, which seemed a little weird to me at first, but it was nice to be able to get refills whenever I wanted. I highly recommend trying this place at least once. I'm definitely a fan.
(4)
Anton A.
Sound Bites is open all day, serving breakfast food (and other things, but stick with the breakfast food.) I meet colleagues at Sound Bites on a regular basis. I never go here on the weekend, because it is no fun when there is a mad rush. But you can't beat the quality of life of having brunch at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, just because! So next time you need to meet out of the office, do it at Sound Bites. Someone below complained about being told to check out the drinks case for a specific flavor of iced tea. They should have noted that drinks are self-serve at Sound Bites. I love this part for several reasons: - it keeps the costs lower so they can stay open all afternoon when all the other diners close. - it leaves you the hell alone when you are trying to have a conversation - you can make your coffee exactly the way you want it - it feels sort of co-op, like us walking 20 feet is really helping out :) If you are looking for a waitress to keep you company because you are lonely, then go somewhere else. My favorite dishes are Swine & Swiss (maybe it's the name) and the famous Golden Grill, which is awesome due to the corn muffin grilled on the griddle. Yeah, it's not exactly the most clean griddle, but that's the point! If you don't want diner food, then stay away from that item. Finally, keep in the mind the full liquor license. So yeah, you can have a mimosa while having a brunch meeting in the middle of the week! This is the future of working at home.
(4)
David M.
This is a great brunch spot. Unfortunately, everyone north of Boston seems to know that and show up. So expect longish lines, and don't expect to take your time after you're done eating (they push you out pretty quickly). And be prepared to order when you're seated. I do like the self service of the drinks (not waiting around, and you can make your coffee the way you like it). Mostly, this place wins on the great range of brunch items. Sadly, in the end, my desire to not wait in line and then be rushed away from my table does tend to win out... even more sadly, that most people (including my roommates) don't feel this way and keep going. Overall, cool place that is a bit of a somerville landmark, if you have the time, but you won't find me here every weekend.
(3)
Ellen H.
I'm being a little harsh here with the 3 stars, but there is a LOT of competition in these parts, so Sound Bites is going to have to change it up to keep up. First of all - bottled water only? Hate it. I know that's strange, but when I pop in with the world's worst hangover I want unlimited ice water and I want it now. I don't want to have to get up every 5 minutes to select a $2 bottle of Poland Springs which may or may not be cold depending on how busy it is and how recently the fridge was stocked. The mashed potatoes are a LITTLE too LOADED with pepper for my taste but the idea of grilled mash potatoes is cool anyway. The omelet was not the way I like mine -- I like it when they fry the fillings/veggies, then add the egg on top so it all cooks in, not when they cook the egg and then wrap the stuff inside so when you cut it and take a bite, ALL the fillings fall out all over your plate -- but it was still good as omelets go. I absolutely refuse to wait in line for this place, so I probably wouldn't come back unless it was some weird off hour. But for someone who hasn't been there, it's worth a try. It's one of those places you either LOVE or you just don't, and everyone's opinion is going to be different - this is just mine!
(3)
Nina T.
I've discovered a way to beat the long weekend lines for this popular brunch spot - by going to Sound Bites at night to enjoy French toast for dinner! I love that you can get breakfast anytime here (it reminds me of one of New York's 24- hour diners). I tried their delicious apricot and cream cheese stuffed French toast for dinner at 9pm on a Monday night (they also have a full dinner menu too, I'm just into the idea of eating breakfast at night 'cuz it makes me feel like a rebel). Their portions are generous so I took half my food home, even though I anticipated it being soggy upon being heated up in the microwave - so not the case, because it was actually even better re-heated. Even though they only serve food until 9:30pm, they stay open until 1am, which makes it a nice place to grab a cocktail if you're looking to escape the more crowded bars of Davis Square. I learned that they have a regular trivia night on Thursdays and a new cocktail menu - so I'm looking forward to spending next Thursday night playing trivia with a mojito in one hand and a slab of French toast in the other.
(4)
Chris N.
Best breakfast in the Boston area hands down! You cant go wrong with ANY item on the menu. The service is attentive and friendly, especially yasser who will treat you like family!
(5)
Scott B.
Here's the problem with crowded brunch hot spots in college towns: The servers tend to neglect your coffee refilling needs. Sound Bites has found the solution: Get your own damn coffee. It's true, there exists a Self-serve java bar at Sound Bites. Holla! Your cup will forever runneth over! Service is good, and the food is fantastic. First, you are served a complimentary fruit platter to hold you over until your meal arrives... which, in my experience, isn't that long of a wait. I recommend trying the turkey sausage patties with your meal... they are fantastic.
(4)
DJ N.
It's simple: SOUND BITES NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS!! The food is NOT FRESH, as confirmed by the manager. The service is reprehensible. Here's what I had: Corn beef hash - it tasted like a SALT BOMB. I asked if it was normally so salty and the response was a resounding YES. Rather than take responsibility for giving customers food that is over-salted, the manager told me it's the beef vendor's fault. Since the food was not edible I asked for something else. I chose the "real crab meat" eggs benedict. The "real (OUT OF A CAN) crab meat" eggs benedict made the disgusting corn beef hash taste good. The crab was almost as mushy as my grilled mashed potato. The tomatoes on the eggs benny were not very fresh. The grilled mash was cold on the outside, warm on the inside. I have every reason to believe this was pre-made and left under a heat lamp. The poached egg was the worst part of this dish. How can something be worse than the mushy, from a can, crab meat? The poached eggs were practically hard boiled. They tried to cover it up with the gross hollandaise sauce. I can't believe the chef would allow such a disaster on a plate to leave his/her kitchen. What a mess!!! My friend ordered the Royale Breakfast with an egg white, mushroom and cheese scramble, bacon, and french toast. The cheese on the scramble wasn't melted properly. It was more like an afterthought. The flavor was bland. The french toast was not fresh. It was not even warm enough to melt the butter that was placed on it. We think it may have come out of the microwave, but are not sure. Also, they never once made an effort to take a drink order from my friend. ***If the food portion of this review doesn't keep you away from Sound Bites, then maybe the service aspect will.*** The restaurant is lucky to be busy because of the local college students that are constantly pouring in and out of there. The food is cheap enough so that you don't feel like you wasted A LOT of money. So if it's bad, you will probably just suck it up. I was asked how my meal was and I expressed my displeasure each time. Each time my opinion fell on deaf ears. The manager was like The TEFLON DON. He listened, but gave an excuse for everything that was wrong with the meal and service. The beef is salty due to the supplier. The crab meat is mushy due to coming out of a can. The eggs were poached before they came out of the kitchen. BLAH BLAH BLAH... Everything was associated with an excuse and the manager didn't care if we liked it or not. Sadly, the manager's opinion (after having worked there for "over 15 years") is that they are busy and if someone doesn't like something he can give them something else. Here's a picture of the "poached egg" that I referred to above: instagr.am/p/K7-mlyrHme/… I wouldn't eat here if every meal was free for the rest of my life!! Ball Square Cafe or Neighborhood Cafe are well worth your money and are very close by. Do yourself a favor: AVOID SOUND BITES AT ALL COSTS!!! ******** FROM THE OWNER OF SOUND BITES (after I posted this review): "lets call it two strikes and we're OUT ! we had a lot of fun with this after you left," - yasser m. He has emailed me numerous times with nothing but insults and bullying tactics. What a shame! Shame on you Yasser!!!
(1)
Brandon M.
Stopped by for dinner and was told the kitchen closed at 9 when every menu in the restaurant specifically says that dinner ends at 9:30. I really don't like restaurants that can't keep their own hours.
(3)
Kristy G.
Great breakfast spot in Somerville. Love the French toast! The long line in front is deceiving, I haven't waited longer than 10 minutes. Fast service, and plenty of options.
(4)
Adam P.
Walked in for sunday brunch, left stuffed and content with the experience. Fruit bowl was huge, diverse, and full of (actually) ripe fruit. The hollandaise sauce on the avocado eggs benedict was slightly odd, but the dish was pretty good in general. My 'jalapeno lovers' omelette was packed with avocado and also just good. Homefries were seared mashed potato style and okay (undersalted). At the end of the day, my meal here was okay and I don't have any egregious complaints. That said, I've definitely had better brunches at Kelly's and Ball Square Cafe... doubt I'll be back.
(3)
Corie L.
I had the asparagus and tomato eggs benedict which was great. Nice atmosphere and the hanging plants are hung very creatively! The reason for three stars is for the service I received with my vanilla latte. I asked for a vanilla latte and they came back with a perfect latte but no vanilla. I asked politely if the server could bring vanilla syrup but instead he took the late and decided to make a whole new one, which is fine. What wasnt fine was the new latee with vanilla in it came back SUPER hot. I mean it was hotter than dunken donuts coffee. I just got the impression he did that on purpose so thanks to that server I give you guys 3 stars and will not be back for any espresso products.
(3)
Daniel R. A.
The food here was amazing. The line on Saturday moved quickly and was well worth the wait. Coffee was brought to me and my friend as we were waiting in line. I would recommend this restaraunt to anyone. It looked like there was a bar and that food was served all day, however, I came for the breakfast and will definitely be going back soon.
(5)
Mimi H.
The service here is fantastic. You get fresh fruit before your meal. The owner is so friendly and funny. (at least I think he's the owner). The food is amazing. Smoked Salmon eggs bennidict!?!?! I had no idea it even existed!! It's like 2 of my favorite things in the world combined! And the hash browns... they are like a combination of mash potatoes and everyday hashbrowns, so yummy. I actually use to date some guy because he regularly treated me to Sound Bites.
I always go with my friend who knows the owner, Yassir, so we get stuff on the house, and have tried a wide spread of interesting pairings that way. Some of my favs: * Blueberry marscapone french toast * Pear & goat cheese stuffed french toast * The Broadway bowl (homefries topped with tomato, pepper, onion, avocado, and cheese) * No Place Like Home Fries * Mimooosaaas! Staff is also really nice, and thorough. The kind of staff it feels good to tip 20%. They *would* get 5 stars, but their lunch is just meh. tried the falafel the other day and was wholly unimpressed (surprising from a place claiming Middle Eastern heritage!).
(4)
Jacob B.
The food is pretty good. People only think of it a a brunch place but I think the bar is great if your looking for something low key.
(5)
Nikki I.
The food here was more like three stars... However, that was skewed for me by the "atmosphere" created by the servers. My table was rushed through our meal so quickly that we were unable to eat before we had checks in our hands and servers were hovering over us until we all had paid. If there was a line, I would have been more understanding...but there was not! I felt too rushed and was unable to enjoy the food or my friends. I will not be returning...unless the world is ending and I need to eat, pay, and be pushed out the door in 20 minutes.
(2)
Paul M.
I had clicked 4 stars but then thought "you know, it really was a great breakfast" hence the 5 star rating. Saturday morning, didn't make it before 9 (as recommended here) so had to wait for a bit. I had the heart-attack inducing "corned beef hash omelet" which was really good. Son enjoyed the toasted blueberry muffin (and the challah french toast, and a side of eggs) and our friend got the challah french toast with fruit. It was mobbed and I *sort of* thought they were rushing us, but in the end, felt we were able to eat relatively leisurely. Extensive menu, and really tasty.
(5)
Jenifa L.
As amazing as the several hundred reviews say!! If you're in the area you can't go wrong.
(5)
Rosa S.
A delicious eggs Benedict, with avocado and tomato, arrived at my door step via delivery from Soundbites. What could be better? Mimosas in coffee cups! I will never again settle for a bagel from dunkin.
(4)
Alana L.
I love Sound Bites! Breakfast is all-day and their menu is huge. The home fries are killer (when I say home fries, I mean fried mashed potatoes - don't knock it 'til you've tried it) and I would make a valiant attempt at eating my body weight in their French toast or breakfast bowl. Oh man. The coffee leaves a bit to be desired, but I'm looking for caffeine, not creativity. It's definitely a no-frills type of place - if you're looking to be waited on for every little thing, skip it. Coffee and tea are self-serve, your food will come out quickly, be plunked in front of you, you eat it, and then you leave. The service can be a bit brusque because the place is so busy, but really, I like to be left alone when I'm eating to either talk to my companions or read my book if I'm by myself. Saturday and Sunday mornings, there WILL be a line, make no mistake, even later on in the morning. Be prepared to wait a bit. In the winter, they have heat lamps outside for you to keep warm (the place isn't anywhere near big enough to hold the line inside). They let you go in to get coffee while you're outside, though, which is nice. I take folks here for breakfast all the time and will continue to do so until it closes or I die, whichever comes first.
(4)
James F.
We used to frequent this brunch place... after my last visit, where the owner called my friend an "a**hole" for trynig to use a coupon from the childrens hospital charity deck of card, we will never go back. stay away, unless you want to eat overcooked eggs and wash it down with a side of being insulted.
(1)
Helen L.
Wow. THE FOOD IS AMAZING! My friends and I got there around 12:30pm and we did not have to wait longer than 2 minutes. The coffee and water are self serve. I ordered "The basic" ($4.99) which was two eggs, homefries, and a bagel. I also ordered a side of french toast. THE HOMEFRIES ARE FANTASTIC! It's almost like mashed potatoes but with this fried top over it. DELICIOUS! French toast- also incredibly good. The nice thing is you can get a SMALL side of French toast- it's like two small pieces for $2.99. Which is perfect if you're getting something else and can't eat a huge large and expensive portion of French toast. My friend got a scone and it was HUGEEEEE and warm and absolutely delicious as well. (I tried some). Service wasn't amazing but the food made up for it and it was pretty much awesome.
(4)
Rin W.
A friend brought me here for lunch. He knows I'm a fan of breakfast, so this was a perfect spot, since they serve breakfast all day! Walking in, the atmosphere is open, and intimate. I loved the idea of the self-serve coffee bar with plain old fashioned coffee as well as a couple of specialty selections, such as pumpkin spice and French Vanilla. I had the house blend to start, and french vanilla for my second cup. Both were surprisingly delicious. I love an interesting menu. Sure, I'm a fan of the classics, like eggs Benedict and a good old cheese omelet, but it always impresses me when an establishment has interesting combinations. I ate the Art, Tom, and Jack Omelet (artichoke, tomato and Monterrey jack cheese) and it was quite delicious. The star of the dish, however was the potatoes. SERIOUSLY flavorful and unique potatoes. I do believe they call them "home fries" but whatever you call it, it's delicious. If you love breakfast, give this place a look. It's a great way to start your morning...or afternoon, or whenever you happen to wake up. :)
(4)
Carrie P.
I wanted to be more impressed by this place! I love brunch and everything that it entails, but I was left simply satisfied, and not amazed. The menu was great, everything I would want on a breakfast menu. The choice between sweet and savory is always a challenge with brunch, and it wasn't any different here. One of the best options, in my opinion, is a grilled muffin. Ever had one? If not, you are MISSING OUT. They are muffins that are cut in half, buttered, and then tossed on the griddle. It gives it a little crunch and a lot of delicious. The food was average brunch food, besides the grilled muffin, nothing to sing about. I got the salmon eggs benedict and remained unimpressed but dissatisfied. Best part: no wait at 11am on a Saturday. Worst part: the service. It was like pulling teeth to just get water the first time we asked.
(3)
Meghan C.
It's okay. That's it. The bloody mary was okay (and very small). The eggs benedict were okay (eggs were poached well, but hollandaise was meh). The fruit was good, but how hard is it to have fresh fruit? I didn't understand the weird fried mashed potatoes--those were gross mushy blandness that should not have been on my plate! If you're craving all-day breakfast, go for it. It won't amaze your palate or anything, but it's cheap and decent and they have something for everyone.
(3)
Denise M.
Loosing it's charm?? I've been here a number of times. I LOVE THE HOME FRIES!!! Ok now that that's out, I can talk about the other stuff!!! I have noticed a slightly downward trend in the quality of the food. What used to be made with love is not being slightly just handed over to you. I had the lamb dinner on St. Patrick's day, I know..I know..I'm a bad Irish girl. It was good but not amazing. I came for lunch just the other day. The chicken kabob was dry and the french fries were under cooked. The falafel was horribly over cooked. I was in for breakfast, over the winter, and was happy to savor a good omelette so maybe I just have to admit this is just a good old breakfast place. The staff are super nice every time I come in. The one thing I do notice is when they get busy they get curt. Don't take it personally.
(3)
Dan C.
1) Wake up hungover on a Saturday morning. 2) Go to Soundbites. 3) Get their imfamous breakfast bowl packed to capacity with everything you could ever want/need for breakfast. 4) Get a beer/bloodymary. (Hair of the dog that bit you) 5) DON'T PANIC (read as "relax, maybe have a coffee) 6) Digest and work your way back to humanity. 7) Wait seven days. 8) Lather. 9) Rinse. 10) Repeat.
(4)
Zach L.
I ventured to Sound Bites with admittedly overblown expectations. What my friends and I found was an expensive place with hugely overrated eggs Benedict. Two of the saving graces were the exceptionally fast and friendly service as well as magnificent grilled muffin. Seriously, holding back from a basket of those took some serious self-control, which is not a strong suit of mine. Go with a corn muffin or blueberry and you will leave a happy bruncher.
(3)
Melissa M.
Ready? I hate going out for breakfast. Hate it. HATE IT! H8te it! The way people kinda look bothers me -- you look a scrumpaly, like you rolled outta bed, and/or slept in your clothes and didn't shower, brush your teeth, hair, etc. I also detest the smell most breakfast places have. You know, the stink of 30 years of grime and grease and eggs (I hate smell of eggs, they smell like faaahts). I hate the smell of coffee. I like the smell of fresh coffee, but most breakfast places have that old coffee smell. So, why am I, the breakfast hater giving this place five big ones? Becauuuuuse: The have a self-serve beverage area! They have booze! They have a really genuinely sweet and cute staff! They have PAPAYA in a fruit bowl! A PAPAYA!! In the middle of the most cold winter we've ever had and I am eating PAPAYA!! They serve breakfast all day. The service was fast and friendly. The prices were low low low low low low low. You don't stink like a diner when you leave! We just ate our first breakfast in Medford today. I cannot say enough good things about Sound Bites. I implore you to go try Sound Bites when you want breakfast. It's served all day, so you will be set. I do know they have long long loooooong lines on the weekends -- so remember that and get the fruit bowl and get some greek yogurt and put a little honey on it (the honey is located at the self-serve beverage area)!! SO GOOD!!! GO!
(5)
Diliny C.
I have to say, I was sold the moment that I started eating my goat's cheese & pear stuffed french toast this morning. I took a small sample to see if it would be too sweet before adding maple syrup - but it was perfect. The portion was too big though, but the toast survived being refrigerated and heating up again as a dessert after lunch. It still tasted fantastic! The price is not bad at all for what you're getting and I was salivating at the fruit portions that people around me were ordering. This is a GOOD place to go for fruit salad. Big portions and excellent variety! As for the omelets.. and other portions I saw people eating and sometimes carrying off again with them - this is obviously a good place! My only concern - why use styrofoam for take away? Also, can I get a half portion (and pay half?) This place is open from 7AM! Means, if you want to beat the crowds you can just head out at 8AM. For an early riser like me, that's perfect!
(5)
Karen H.
I came here for the first time last Sunday with my boyfriend. It's nestled a 10 minute walk away from the heart of Davis Sq, which was a nice change of scenary. We were both starving and ordered veggie omelettes and split a side of French Toast stuffed with peanut butter and bananas. The portions that came were quite big and we actually struggled to finish the French Toast, which was really good but sweet. In the midst of us grabbing coffee and water at the self-service stand, the owner got into a fight with someone and got his head banged up! Lots of commotion with the police and everything. Poor guy! I give this place 4 stars because we liked what we ordered and the service was fast. Even though I don't go to Davis very much at all, I think I'll be making the trip to eat here again.
(4)
Sarah W.
Went on a holiday morning for brunch with a group of friends. There was a wait, but only about 10 minutes, not bad at all. It was crowded, but we were given a booth. The OJ was fresh squeezed and delicious, there were plenty of coffee options, and the menu was extensive. The food came out quickly and was tasty. We particularly liked the mashed potato hash browns, the PB & banana-stuffed french toast, and the omelettes. The server was friendly, our bill was calculated correctly, etc. All good, right? Why am I only giving three stars? Because of the way our meal ended. We were sitting at the table, lingering after the check had been signed, and were asked by a few different people if we "needed anything." Not too different from the typical "let me be extremely polite and helpful so that you have no reason not to leave" game that servers usually play. But then a woman (not our server) came by to clear the plates. After she did that, she proceeded to wipe down the table and reset the entire condiments section while we were sitting there. She wasn't friendly. She didn't smile. She didn't say excuse me-- she didn't say anything, as a matter of fact. She simply acted as if the four of us weren't there. It was so awkward that we had no choice but to leave. (By the way, it's not like we had been sitting there for twenty minutes at an empty table-- it had been less than five minutes since they'd taken the signed credit card bill.) It was incredibly rude and left a really bad taste in our mouths. I know that brunch on weekends and holidays is a busy time, and I know that tables were at a premium, but each person at that table had ordered a full meal plus beverage, and I think that should have earned us the right to linger a bit at the table. Instead, it felt like we were being told, "You ate your food, now get the hell out."
(3)
Airik M.
This is by far the coolest little spot I've found in somerville
(5)
Christina M.
I've been meaning to come here for years, but the morning crowds always kept me at bay. However, it's funny how coming back from vacation, coupled with an empty refrigerator and a hungry tummy, can make you way more adventurous! When my husband and I approached, it was really unclear how seating worked at this place. Unlike Ball Square Cafe, which had a neat line coming out of the door, Sound Bites had a huge crowd loitering around, and when my husband asked about the wait, we were just told to wait outside. There was no rhyme or reason to seating, but since we were a small party of 2 (unlike the large parties of 6+ waiting to be seated), and wedged our ways right next to the door, we were seated pretty quickly. Inside, service moves rather quickly, and the energy of the room is pretty intense. Big crowds translate to lots of noise, and the wait staff and servers zoom around delivering orders, keeping confused patrons waiting for a seat at bay, etc. For breakfast, I opted for the stuffed french toast with cream cheese and strawberries. Other than my initial disappointment at realizing it was more of a strawberry glaze than real strawberries, I was very happy. Their french toast is pretty amazing...perfectly sweet, crunchy, and moist at the same time. My husband ordered the waffles, covered in fresh fruit and whipped cream. We both stuffed our faces and were so happy with the final result. Going out for breakfast is a rare treat for me, but I can't wait to try this place again. Plus, maybe next time I may get more clues about how seating at this establishment actually works.
When we walked in, the restaurant was rather empty and the friendly host/server told us that we could sit anywhere. He was the nicest part of tonight's experience. The waitress, whose name I never was able to find out, was unfriendly and unhelpful. When she came to take our drink order, I asked her if they had the cherry pomegranate Nantucket Nectar as it's my favorite. I asked this question because they have Nantucket Nectar on the menu, but they don't tell you which flavors. She said that she didn't know and that I could go over to the drink case at the far end of the restaurant to check. I was rather put off as she should have told me that she didn't know and that she would find out and be right back, right? I ordered the orange juice which was listed on the menu as 14 oz. Tropicana orange juice. The friendly server brought me a 12 oz. Tropicana orange juice. I mentioned to the waitress that their menu said that it was two ounces more, but she just said that someone must have typed it wrong. For dinner, I ordered the Stuffed French Toast with Goat Cheese and Pear. This should have been freaking orgasmic. It wasn't. I love goat cheese, but I've never before seen whatever goat cheese this was. It was really grainy, the flavor didn't go at all well with the pear or the French toast, and it left a bad aftertaste in my mouth causing me to feel sick for several hours after the meal. My gf ordered the chocolate and strawberry pancakes and a side of scrambled eggs. According to her, the price for the side of eggs was really good because normally you only get one egg for that price but Sound Bites gives you two. She liked her pancakes just fine, but they were definitely not the best she's ever had. I tasted them, but all I tasted was burnt chocolate. They did bring a small plate of fresh fruit salad on the house late into the meal. I'm not sure why. It was the nice host/server who brought it over, though, and it was fine (grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, pineapple, and strawberries). There were a lot of interesting things on the menu, and I'd probably be willing to try this place again if someone else requested it, but it wouldn't be my choice. My concern is that those things would taste like the Goat Cheese & Pear Stuffed French Toast - not at all as good as they should.
(2)
Sarah G.
So I have now been to Ball Square Cafe, Kelly's Diner and Soundbites--the three hot spot breakfast joints in Ball Square and I have to say that after all of the hype I've heard about this place, I don't really think it is anything special. I got their chocolate chip and coconut pancakes. Yum, right? Ya they were pretty good, and you get three of them which was more than enough for me, I definitely could not finish all three and it was only $9 which is pretty good for a place many wait HOURS to eat at. Word to the wise, if you come here on a weekday morning, there is no line, and almost every table is empty!! But for how popular this place is I was surprised that there didn't see to be an AC....They had the big front window open which was nice, but it was so humid outside I found myself almost sweating sitting there! Definitely not how you want to feel at a leisurely breakfast. My friend Sarah got their fruit bowl with granola and a side of toast and I honestly don't know how you can charge $1.20 for two pieces of bread!! That just seems crazy to me! Especially when you can get a whole loaf for $2.50 ha ha But Sarah loves this place and that was a pretty big bowl of fruit, with not as much granola as I would have liked. All in all, I would come back here to try their benedict since the coconut and chocolate distracted me this time, so perhaps an update will be in order, but this place is really just like any other breakfast spot. The owner did thank us immensely for coming in and reminded me on the way to try the benedict next time, so I guess that is next on my list!
(3)
Gamal S.
Great breakfast joint! Cool for dinner too, but most of the time I've spent in Sound Bites has been for breakfast. Both my son and I dig it, and it's the only place I've ever known which will make my off-the-wall favorite breakfast without charging me an arm and a leg.
(4)
Kerry S.
I visited Sound Bites this past Sunday with my best friend. We waited in the line outside of the resturant for only about five minutes before a man asked us if we would like a seat at the bar. We sat down and first noticed how large the bar area was. I then opened the menu and was overwhelmed by so many choices that all sounded wonderful. Chris, our server, greeted us with his witty banter and fabulous suggestions about the food. He served us two mimosas, which were great! I ate the pumpkin waffle..I'm obsessed with pumpkin infused food. Even though pumpkin is currently not in season, I was so delighted at having the opportunity to eat some! My waffle was AMAZING. It was hands down, the best that I've ever had! The pumpkin paired with the maple syrup was INCREDIBLE! Sound Bites has a great coffee bar as well, with again, so many choices. Clearly, I went with the Pumpkin Spice coffee! What I loved most about this restaurant wasn't the food. Although it was amazing, the service provided by its employees was even better! We had the opportunity to meet the owner, Yassar. A very funny man who came over to us to inquire about our meal - never once telling us he was the owner! I watched him deliver food to tables, take orders, and interact with everyone! Along with the owner, my best friend and I were asked by numerous people how everything was. Literally, about 5 different servers came over to talk to us - in a packed place! I loved all the teamwork! It's not everyday that you find such a gem! Next time we're in Boston, we will most definitely be visiting Sound Bites again!
(5)
Allie L.
Went here on Sunday for brunch. It's got a really nice bustling vibe to it. All their food was wonderful. The omelet was cooked to perfection which I rarely see. The french toast was also quite good. The menu was a bit overwhelming but it was cool to see dishes I"d never seen before like a mozzarella and banana pancake. Was really happy here. The only thing that was not so great is that after about 20 minutes, the waitress asked if we were done when we clearly weren't. Then five minutes later, they did it again. I found that really grating like they were trying to get rid of us. There were other tables open. It wasn't like we were holding up the wait. Definitely worth going to I think for a nice brunch with friends or family.
(4)
Tiff D.
Take out of Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Toast with a side of Homefries with a homemade OJ. WOW they cant even get the basics right. My bacon and egg was way undercooked. Raw runny egg and 2 slices of fatty raw bacon. yum! :-/ And I got a side of mashed potatoes? Maybe thats their "homefries"? OK, well they were bland and gross...tasted like a boxed instant mashed potato. For $10.67, I hoped Id atleast enjoyed my sandwich and "fries". I can see why Ball Sq Cafe next door has the line down the street, and this place doesnt.
(2)
Damien S.
Sound Bites is an institution that, much like American Idol, one loves or can't stand. Boo AI, hooray SB! The menu offers at least a few unique items (fig stuffed french toast, challah french toast and moroccan skillets) and the food has been tasty overall. In more than 5 visits, I've always been served a complimentary fresh fruit plate - for nothing more than offering a genuine smile and maybe having an attractive woman in the party. Yeah, they're quick to grab a plate but when not in Europe, do as the not-Europeans: eat and leave. And now that they've moved to the spacious bar next door (RIP El Guapo), your claustrophobic friends can once again enjoy an eggs benny. One more thing: if management is reading, pay tribute to the Karaoke spirits that reside in 704 Broadway. They were there first.
(4)
Camille R.
Breakfast options are many and the french toast, pancakes, waffles, and omlettes are yummy! Coffee and juice station in the back, help yourself. A hint of ranch dressing mixed into the mashed homefries, mmmMMmMm. On top of that, they're always busy and the waitstaff are on top of their game.
(4)
Laura S.
I have had only wonderful experiences and food at Sound Bites. If i were to chose any breakfast or even lunch place in the Boston area it would be here. All the employees and especially the owner are very friendly and welcoming. They know how to treat their customers and make beyond delicious food in large proportions all for a very good price! Make sure you go often! You will never be disappointed!
(5)
Deanna D.
It safe to say I've been to Sound Bites one to many times and now I know better. At first I enjoyed the place even though the food was mediocre but its close to my house and everything comes out fast--Hence the 2 stars. There's always a wait but it moves along pretty quickly. The service is fast, efficient and usually friendly. The restaurant is clean but crowded so not always comfortable. Not to mention it always feel like your being rushed. The Corned Beef Hash was mushy and flavorless. The pancakes are lackluster. The Ole Omelet is the only thing I have had that I enjoyed even though the corn muffin can sometimes be hard and/or dry. The eggs usually come out good but that not a big achievement for a breakfast place. The "no place like home fries" are basically mashed potatoes that have been placed on the griddle--Some people like it--I don't. The prices are not cheap and the quality and flavor is just not there. Ball Square and Renee's Cafe are definitely better choices if your in the area.
(2)
Jennifer L.
My eggs weren't cooked as I requested (over-easy with cheese), but instead were hard and microwaved - and no cheese. However, the potatoes were really mashed, so I loved them. You have to get your own drinks, which was difficult since I couldn't find anything except coffee. Staff were very nice, but would have been nicer if they hadn't nuked my eggs.
(2)
Colleen M.
There are a lot of weird things about this place, but honestly, the food at Sound Bites is disgusting. Last time I went, I got some kind of combo breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, and a pancake. Pretty hard to screw up, right? Their eggs looked like they've been sitting around all morning in whatever nasty, cheap oil they fry them in. I actually spotted the woman next to me wiping her eggs off with a napkin (no joke). The sausage had the texture of a hockey puck. The pancakes were chewy and dense, and were no better when drenched in their fake maple syrup. It is shocking to me that people line up down the block to get into this place every weekend. My boyfriend got some Moroccan egg dish, which was basically a pile of roughly chopped, undercooked greasy vegetables with eggs on top. The runny egg yolks ended up mixing with the residual grease at the bottom of the dish from the vegetables, creating an oily mess. Hey, at least the eggs were runny I guess! To top things off, the service is pushy and not at all personal. We had about four different servers throughout the course of our short meal, sometimes not even knowing that someone else had already been helping us. Sound Bites also requires that you get up and serve your own coffee and water. I'm baffled by this and don't know how it benefits anyone. Seriously, just head to Posto or Highland kitchen for a relaxing, delicious brunch.
(1)
SunKissed G.
Breakfast today... Service with a warm, friendly smile was great. Eggs were good. Coffee was blah. Hashed browns were so salty that we couldn't eat them. Both of our scones were far too moist in the middle. This place must known for their lunch menu.
(2)
Kara Z.
The first thing I wanted to do on my birthday this year was breakfast at Sound Bites. I haven't been here in years and the grilled blueberry muffin and multigrain waffle with fruit and whipped deliciousness were seriously calling my name. I fantasize sometimes about driving all the way to Ball Square on the weekends for brunch but the lines that I have dealt with in the past keep me from making it a reality. Although now that they have expanded I should think about indulging a little.
(4)
Celia H.
I've been coming here since it opened. The food is always really delicious (ok I admit I often get the same thing 'cause I just love it), the staff is friendly, and the coffee choices are fun. My wife (or whoever else I go with) and I typically split a basil, scallion, tomato, jack cheese omelet that comes with their version of home fries and a bagel; it's a lot of food! We also love the fruit bowl which is crammed (and I mean crammed) with fresh fruit that ends up feeding us for two meals. We tend to try to go at off times. Yes it's very busy on weekends and I've admired those hardy souls who wait in line outside in the bitter cold! My secret is calling ahead to order the breakfast I'm craving and then bring it home 10 minutes later to enjoy in peace. Re-toast the bagel, warm up the omelet a tad and voila, a wonderful breakfast with no fuss and no dishes to wash.
(5)
Meka A.
Good breakfast places can be hard to find in Boston. Sound Bites is a solid diner breakfast style choice if you want good food at affordable prices. There isn't a single dish that is a homerun but everything is really good. Sound Bites does distinguish itself as it has a large self serve coffee and tea bar with a large selection. I tend to go every few months when I'm looking for a quick bite at a good price. As I said, nothing too special about the establishment, but it still makes it into my rotation. Try the breakfast bowls smorgosboard with hash browns, eggs, cheese, etc.
(3)
Linda C.
This place is horrible. If all you want are eggs, then this place is for you, but DO NOT get anything else or you WILL be disappointed!! The place was DEAD EMPTY when we went. That should have been a warning! Their middle eastern food is made for people who don't know what middle eastern food is supposed to really taste like. They take advantage of idiots. Don''t be an idiot and waste a dime here.
(1)
Michael T.
Excellent weekend brunch, extensive menu, served at least until 3pm. Coffee non-alcoholic drinks are self-serve, which is fine if you know to expect it. Everybody's plate was well-prepared, large-portioned and looked delicious. I enjoyed a breakfast platter as well as an order of butter pecan pancakes. Out of this world. Only significant issue to note would be a funky smell in their cups, probably from not using enough soap, or the wrong type of dish washing detergent. Nothing appeared dirty. I'll still be back for another great brunch!
(4)
Austin R.
Went on a Sunday morning and got the Boston blue. The food was pretty ho-hum but I will say their version of home fries is interesting and tasty. The muffin didn't have much flavor, nor did the omelet though. Everything was lukewarm when it came out and got cold pretty quickly. I also tried my friend's cream cheese stuffed French toast which was good but not mind blowing. The service was pretty good and didn't feel especially rushed which I liked. Overall a very average experience.
(3)
Te R.
the line was long but it went fast. the wait was only less than 10 minutes for us (two). we tried the moroccan eggs. tasteless. soaked in oil. we applied a generous amount of salt and that sortof rescued the dish. but not really. the runny egg yolks merged with the pool of butter/oil did not make a good texture or taste... and stuffed french toast with ricotta and strawberry. great idea. nicely executed. and ... you have to get your own water. where is this? dining hall? the service was efficient enough though overall. but i'm sad to say that this place is a little overhyped... i looked at the food on other tables. they don't look very inventive or particularly pleasing. but less than (yelp doesn't allow the less-than sign? really?) 10 minutes wait for brunch. you can't beat that.
(3)
Kandi A.
This place knows how to slay an ultimate breakfast. If you can make it here on a weekend before 9am- you'll get it quicker. But if you had a crazy, all night party to attend and you can't roll in until after that- expect a little wait. It's well worth it. The food is glorious and the unlimited supply of coffee will help you get through the morning hang over.
(5)
L F.
My friend and I stopped by Sound Bites for drinks after grabbing dinner across the street at Yak and Yeti. I didn't have any particular problem with the service or the wine we drank. My only complaint is that the drink menu they gave didn't list prices--kind of annoying--although what we were charged was fairly reasonable for two huge glasses of wine ($8 a glass). i would recommend Sound Bites to anyone wanting a low-key place to grab a quick drink and watch the game.
(3)
Jess L.
I lived in Cambridge for a year and always meant to come here. When I was finally able to come this past weekend, I knew the wait was worth it - but, at the same time, I asked myself, "Why did I wait so long?" It's like a divebar for brunch. The service is fast. The spaces is a big grungy - not dirty but not too much focused on decor. It's a very down to earth place. I had an amazing omelette, probably one of the best I've ever had. Arthur's Favorite includes eggplant, onions, peppers, and cheese (for an extra $1). The egg was scrumptious and fluffy. They didn't skimp on the insides, which I also appreciate. A lot of people gush about the potatoes, which are very unique: fluffiness between two crunchy layers. Garlicky, perhaps? Very good. And a good portion size. The hand-squeezed OJ is a bit expensive, but there are a lot of other [self-serve] beverage options. I always complained about the lack of good brunch options in the area, and only after having moved away did I find it at Sound Bites!
(5)
S C.
Great for breakfast food.....not for much else. I live across the street from Sound Bites so i might say I am "forced" to frequent. I continuously get let down by any meal except breakfast. BUT for breakfast food, even for dinner, you will be blown away. The hashbrowns are amazing.....like a little piece of mashed potato heaven on earth.
(3)
Adrienne N.
Love this place! We stop here for breakfast almost everyday in the summer. The food is delicious and we are always treated well!
(5)
Irina D.
Disclaimer: I am not a brunch person at all, yet get "dragged" to brunch places whenever I hang out with my cousins. In this case I was visiting my cousin who goes to Tufts, with her sister and friend, and she took us here. This place is quite large and gets really busy during brunch time, usually there is a line to get in there but we happened to come late enough and avoided it. The breakfast menu is quite large and the prices, relative to other brunch places I have eaten at, are not bad at all. After long consideration I have ordered the Triple Berry Cakes . It sounded so good however tasted pretty bland once I got to try it. I also got the "No place like home fries" and wow although it was more like mashed potatoes than home fries, they were quite amazing. And I mean amazing enough for me to look at my companion's plates to see whether they were going to finish their portion of these amazing home fries, or if I was going to have the pleasure of tasting it again.... Another thing that might be important to mention, is that you get all your drinks by yourself, whether its water, tea, juice or coffee, there is an area there which has them all and you make it however you like it. I dont remember the service being either really good or really bad, so that must mean it was just ok. In general I liked this place and would come back here if I was in the area. P.S.- I didn't mention the crazy fight we unfortunately got to witness at this place, if you are interested PM me and I will elaborate.
(4)
Denise F.
My boyfriend lives right around the corner from this place. We always passed this place and was like oooh we should go. We finally did and very happy! We went on Saturday at 1pm and got to sit at the bar. No waiting! My boyfriend got the crab meat bene. It was perfect! So good! I had the almond french toast with seasonal fruit. My french toast was covered with delicious fruit but my fav is the kiwi and guava in the dead of winter! The self serving drinks was really great except I kept getting up to get more hot water because I love their peppermint tea. I would recommend this place to anyone and will be coming back. I am just sad I didn't start coming here earlier. The service was good. They were quick to take my order, my food came out really fast and they cleared my plate when I was done.
(4)
Tracy C.
Soundbites is a no frills place, which is the type of place I prefer. I don't like people bugging me, I just like to order, get my food and have the server check in once or twice and call it good. So if you like this type of service, you'll like Soundbites. I'm a vegetarian and they have a nice variety of veggie options. Their veggie sausage is hands down the best I've ever had. If you're a vegetarian, you know its hard to find a good, 'fake' sausage. Yasser has been nothing but nice to me and my husband, so as long as his good service and that of his waitstaff continues, I'll continue to go (and get the veggie sausage).
(4)
Tim N.
Sound Bites has always been a Sunday brunch mainstay for Tufts students, and although I only braved the long lines once during my time at Tufts, I was certainly well aware of their food and the unconditional love that Somerville has for this eating establishment. That's why it was pretty cool to come back to Sound Bites recently, during a brief visit to the east coast and my former stomping ground. Sound Bites has since doubled in size and added a pretty amazing bar to their interior space. It looks like it's a full service, morning/noon/night type place now. This impressed me. Food certainly hasn't changed from my days at Tufts. A broad menu of tasty, high quality breakfast dishes still lives here. I of course went with the sweet peppered corned beef hash. Although the corned beef didn't taste as fresh as I thought it might, the whole dish still worked quite well and filled me up. Top it off with a coffee and orange juice and I was ready to conquer the day. I like the New and Improved Sound Bites. Looks like it's still a place that Tufts students frequent, and I don't blame them one bit.
(4)
JJ D.
OMG! I just had the best food experience of this holiday season. My partner and I split the waffle and fruit [my favorite] and the eggs Benedict with asparagus and prosciutto. The eggs Benedict were unbelievable. The explosion of flavors in my mouth seemed to be carefully orchestrated by the food gods. Sound Bites has the best food in Somerville.
(5)
Lou G.
First off we were pleasantly surprised when, after having called in about the length of their wait, the gentleman on the phone told me just to ask for him and he would get us to the front of the line. We figured at around 1:30 in the afternoon we'd miss most of the enormous line that forms up and down the sidewalk, but still with a 16 month old in tow we wanted to make sure we wouldn't spend more time outside than inside and I'm sure that this is what influenced him to hook us up with a quick seat. I don't mean to undermine the loads of other people that bear the sometimes nasty conditions waiting to get a seat, but I'm sure they extend this type of friendly service to lots of others, regulars and newcomers. And the attentive service doesn't stop there. With such a busy crowd to keep up with, we were still approached by at least 4 different staff members more than once during the course of our meal to make sure we were being taken care of and that we were happy with our meal. I'm never really impressed with service as it seems most of the places I visit are par on the service bit, but this one definitely showed to be a birdy, or eagle, whichever one is better (I'm not much for golfing but you get the point) And there was lots of meal too. The fruit basket that came out first was very diverse and fresh, and kept the little guy busy and satisfied from start to finish. I ordered a mexican omelette with ham, which was bursting out the sides, but I was still able to enjoy their slightly mashed and tasty take on home fries, as well as the bagel that came with the dish. My girlfriend enjoyed he breakfast bowl which was an enormous concoction of eggs cheese meat I think and homefries hidden at the bottom. She ended up taking probably half of it home - she didn't even stand a chance. But there was also the toast, french toast and sausage we also ordered in case the little guy didn't enjoy everything else he had in front of him. And we got to fill ourselves up and have breakfast for the next couple days all for a little less than $44. I know that sounds like a lot for a late breakfast, but if it were just the two of us I'm sure it wouldn't have been a dime over 25 or 30 bucks, which is still incredible deal for such quality in food and service. I could go on and on but I'll just say one visit will turn you into a regular!
(5)
Jenifer W.
My family and I visited here on advice of our college-age daughter... apparently all the locals know this place, and visit frequently.... now we know why. REALLY unique food options - things you might never think to pair yourself (I had an asparagus, tomato, and cheese omelet that would knock your socks off), and they're made with incredibly fresh ingredients and by someone who knows what they're doing! If you anywhere near this cafe, you have to give it a try... they have something for everyone, and you'll be VERY happy you did.
(4)
Sean B.
Long before everyone began traveling to Yelp to find out what Sociology and Religious Studies majors do with their (loads of) free time, you heard about the truly great restaurants by word of mouth. Having not frequented Sound Bites since I was a Tufts student, I was praying it would still live up to the hype. Survey says, the mile long walk in the snow was worth it - and I absolutely needed the mile-long walk back home afterward. My grilfriend and I were seated instantly - Sound Bites can be notorious for long lines, so this was a pleasant surprise. I still would have been ok with waiting for 15-20 minutes like most of the people who arrived after us, but this was a bonus. We ordered our food, and I think received it in what may be the quickest turn-around I've ever had at a breakfast place. I wish I timed it. TIP: If you are like me and like having the full spread of eggs/toast/homefries/AND pancakes with your meal, you can order a side of TWO BIG pancakes for close to $3. The normal 3-pancake meals are in the $7-9 range, so this is a good thing to know. Contrary to many reviews that say Sound Bites pushes patrons out the door as their dressing themselves, we were not pushed, and remained at our table for a few minutes despite there being several parties waiting to be seated. Honestly though, what kind of business would it be if they didn't care about getting as many people in the door as possible? I hope it's ok with some folks that the waiters don't offer to wipe your mouth with a napkin, or cut the edges off your 5-year old's toast - but this is Yelp, so someone will probably express their frustration by writing about (and feel like, but not actually getting paid for doing) it. SOUND BITES IS DELISH. Get there early!
(5)
Donald N.
I have been here so many times that the staff greets me when I come. The food is far less greasy than typical diner fare. I love the Mediterranean slant on many of the dishes. Even though I have moved further away, I still make a point to come back, they are worth the trip.yh
(5)
Kristen C.
So good! Home fries are amazing :)
(4)
Jon W.
I waited in line for this? Sorry but there's much better places for brunch than this overrated, underwhelming, bloated joint. The food was okay, it wasn't very impressive and they kick you out. Whatever.
(1)
Nancy M.
The line that forms on the street to get in should be a sign of what people will do on a weekend morning to have breakfast here. We had a mix-up with our order but the staff apologized many times and made it up to us. The breakfast was excellent. The homefries...which are more like pan seared garlic mashed potatoes were amazing. Coffee is self-serve AND they have to-go cups. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Espresso T.
Large portions, decent quality, and good coffee (much better coffee than at a lot of breakfast places!). The home fries were good. The french toast was fine but I was not wowed. The pancakes looked good as well.
(3)
Rebecca S.
The blueberry pancakes were divine! The eggs bene was delish! I really enjoyed the drink bar too, it was so original! We were seated promptly even on a Saturday morning with the crowds. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Stacy-Michelle R.
Since writing this review I have received two emails from the owner of the place. The first one, three months ago, was telling me that I did not hear what I thought I heard (even though it was a plain conversation directly in front of my table), and then (in the same email) giving me two different excuses as to why he was having that conversation. Seriously? The second email was written a couple days ago in what sounds like a drunken ramble - a full three months after the incident happened. The best part about this email? HE ACTED AS IF HE WAS A CUSTOMER COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW MEAN I AM TO THE OWNER. He told me that my review was "stuppid," telling me how rude I am, and telling me "good luck in your life the way you judging ,," Um...isn't this the point of this website? To judge places? And to pretend you're another customer after you already wrote me? Just plain stupid. Grow up. You went from someplace I was willing to give a chance to to someplace I'm disgusted with. (Email #3 sent after this review was posted today! For the record, I made one request, other than that I sat there reading a magazine!) "Hi Stacy-Michelle, yasser m. has sent you a message on Yelp: RE: your review "first,i didn't hide my self,i wroted under my name, i think you are a sick person trying to hurt peoples feeling,after i was very nice to you,to me you are acting like a jackass ,YOUR REVIEW IS VERY STUPID,,, i remebered you very well,you been a pain in the ass,the minut you order,till you left acting very strang,, be nice,,life is not worst being a JACKASS GOOD LUCK""
(1)
D P.
People feel very strongly about brunch in Ball Square; the divide between Sound Bites (the original) and Ball Square Cafe (the usurper) approaches religious intensity. Me, I'm a Sound Bites girl, and I want to give it its fair due. Yes, it's crowded and crazy at peak brunch hours. if that's a turn-off, come at an off time. I've never had a problem with service, but even if I were to get bitched at by a cranky waiter, I'd still come back for the food. No, not everything on the menu is perfect, but is it anywhere? the grilled muffins, the fabulous grilled-mashed-potato "homefries," the many iterations of French toast stuffed with anything from banana and nutella to caramelized pears and goat cheese (personal favorite), and the very reasonable prices - that's why this place has won my undying loyalty. if you don't like it, then that's fine by me - I'll eat your home fries for you and savor every bite.
(4)
Frank W.
Bottom line: Darn good food, reasonable prices, unlimited coffee. All of these things are pluses. Lines, a little too much greese, and sub-par pancakes take it down a peg. Overall a win for Somerville. Sound Bites and Ball Sq Cafe have an eternal rivalry that will never be fixed. Here's why: they serve the same damn stuff, at the same damn time, for about the same damn price. The only thing that I personally think is an advantage (to Ball Sq) is the owner is much more personable, and might even give you some hot chocolate while you're waiting in line (thanks very much, sir). Back to Sound Bites, I haven't had too much of a problem getting seated here, at most i've waited 15 minutes on a Sunday. Not too bad. The self-service coffee means I don't have to deal with someone's heavy hand, and all told it's a fairly good value. I caffeinate up for the day, the coffee tastes good, and it only runs me about $2. Score 1 for Frank. I usually am a Savory type of fellow for breakfast, with eggs being my main staple. So obviously i've had a lot of their omelettes. They're happy to make it the way I want (egg whites if i'm feeling healthy, add bacon if i'm not) and they smile. The thing about both restaurants is that they are so busy, they will actively try to move you along. So be careful how fast (or slow) you eat. My omelettes have a little too much diner greese for my liking, and the pancakes left some to be desired (a little dry, not a great consistency, you can tell it was from a mix), but the food always comes out in good time. And there's always too much of it. Thank god all of my friends can pack it away so I can push some food on them. If you're looking to get charged for a day, this is a great place to go that won't set you back much. However, if you're in the Teele Sq area, GO TO RENEES INSTEAD. *Shameless plug*
(4)
Holly O.
I wouldnt even give this place one star if it wasn't for the fact that the big breakfast bowl is pretty good. Other than that I really hate this place and it's neighbor, the Ball Square Cafe. I don't understand how people can even say they like these places when you have Kelley's Diner right down the street which is the best Diner Breakfast around. You walk in and one person seats you, another person takes your order but they don't get you drinks!!! You have to do that all yourself which I'm sorry is not what I want to be doing when I go out to eat. Then yet another different person brings you the food and finally another person brings your the check. So who the hell are you supposed to tip?? The people that work there are CONSTANTLY walking around, hovering over your table to see how much longer your going to be and its extremely annoying. It seems like they are bored because they have nothing to do since everyone is getting their own drinks for themselves and no one really has their own tables. The whole system just seems completely ass backwards to me and it's probably a way for the owners to scheme less money out of the servers while also screwing over the patrons who are tipping out to people who aren't even really serving anyone. If you don't mind having bad service then by all means try it out, but the food isn't anything to write home about. Like I said though in my opinioin Kelley's Diner is the place to go.... The women who work there are hilarious, they constantly refill your coffee, and it's hands down the best breakfast you can get in Somerville (besides maybe the Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Square).
(1)
Dan N.
Sound bites is one of, if not the best brunch place around. Think how I met your mother (brunch place with yellow walls. Come on people!) environment, with awesome food, hilarious staff when you start actually talking and getting to know them, and once they start to recognize you -may or may not have been the last 4 weekends in a row...- they take care of you. A few dishes that are absolutely KILLER: the whole wheat waffles with seasonal fruit aka a giant waffle piled high with a mountain of fresh fruit and garnished with whipped cream. Goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast-just get it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Any of the pancakes but especially the mango banana. Also, haven't had one yet personally but many friends love the omelets which are gigantic. OH And there's a full bar. Brunch+bar+good friends=Tradion to repeat time after time.
(5)
Stephanie C.
CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT!! They charged me $3 more in tip!! So bring cash. Food's good, service isn't. Don't go when you want to relax...you're always going to be in someone's way here. Need a water? "Go and get it"! Help yourself to the cooler!
(1)
Karen B.
THis place is the best for breakfast, if you like omelets, french toast, Eggs benedict...they have excellent varieties. For example I had an Ole Omlete w/ black beans, cheese, salsa, sour creme, and onions in it. Yum! My boyfriend got a carmelized apple, cranberry and goat cheese stuffed french toast....amazing. All you can drink coffee, tea and a full bar for bloody marys or mimosas. Just go there you wont regret.
(4)
Meagan F.
Oh Sound Bites... how I adore thee. We're pretty much here every other Sunday for brunch, but I can't seem to stop myself from ordering the same thing every time: Pear and goat cheese stuffed french toast. ARE YOU KIDDING???? It's seriously a pain in the rear to get in on a Sunday for brunch, as you have to wait in line outside, but every restaurant that consistently has a line in front of it all day on the weekends is a definite hit for me. As many other Yelpers have mentioned, the serve yourself coffee bar is terrific! I'm a flavor-in-my-coffee-lovin'-kinda-gal, so with their nearly ten different flavors of coffee, how can you go wrong! Brunch isn't the only time this place is hoppin', however, as they serve breakfast all day and night alongside a full bar and a relaxed atmosphere. Bottom line: Delicious food, every time. Go Here.
(5)
James R.
Sounds Bites is delicious food served quickly to make hungry people happy. I've been there dozens of times with hundreds of people and not a complaint from anyone except "I'm so full." The place isn't perfect, but they do offer a lot of creative meals. Last time I was there was during Hurricane Irene. The staff did a great job of making sure no one had to stand outside during these harsh conditions. I've read complaints on here about the staff being pushy and rushing people out of the restaurant... Seriously.... aren't 90% of bad reviews on having slow service... now this place is too fast? Go have your Joyluck Club/ Sex & the City Sunday morning complain-fest elsewhere. There is a line of people outside trying to eat.
(4)
Michelle C.
Service is the big problem at this place. Just about every waiter/ waitress in the restaurant is somewhat involved in each party. This system is set up so that you can not ask questions because no one waiter/ waitress knows anything about your meal. Food sometimes comes out fast but never together for your party even when it's a party of 2. If you don't mind terrible service, their breakfast is yummy but predictable.
(2)
Rico S.
Good place. Probably one of the most well known breakfast places in the area, considering if you tell anyone around that you live in Ball Square they bring this place up first as reference. A little notorious also, considering the history of how one of the founders helped open up the competing place next door apparently. Usually a decent line to get in on weekends and holidays weekdays. Serve yourself coffee station. Reasonable prices for breakfast. Have a good lunch and dinner menu, too. More of a complete restaurant than just a breakfast place. Especially seeing as the U shaped bar takes up half of the place. Which brings up a huge deal breaker for some: this place serves alcohol. You can get bloodies and mimosas unlike next door at Ball Square Cafe. The food is above average for breakfast offerings. Has a nice European flair to it. In the summer they open the street side windows and have tables outside. Unfortunately Somerville doesn't allow drinking outside so you need to be inside while drinking. Tables outside are awkward when there's a line, too, and people watch you eat as you watch them wait. Definitely lives up to the billing that comes with it
(4)
EricaLynn J.
I have to admit: I was terrified to pop my Sound Bites cherry last Saturday morning. I don't do well with waiting in long lines outside (especially in colder weather), crowded once inside, 'hurry up' servers, and from some reviews, what seemed to be a half "DIY" menu. I gingerly approached Sound Bites, and my friends immediately got us a table. Sometimes it pays to have no sense of direction and get completely lost, you see. I didn't even have time to survey the place more than a split second to see if I spotted the so-called 'soup Nazi owner' so I knew whom I should not accidentally anger, as when I was hurriedly seated (table next to the kitchen), a man ran up to me and complimented my hair. "I'm Yassir. I own this place. And your hair, I just love it." I think the collective stunned silence of my four friends and me was enough to scare the eggs benedict off of some guy's plate twenty tables away. "My hair? I just rolled out of bed." Yassir flashes another great smile and is most likely the happiest, most animated person in the entire restaurant at this point. His voice lowers and he motions to me as if he was about to tell me a secret. "You see," he said coyly, "that's what's wrong with people these days. People just don't let go." Let me tell you, Yassir and his crew took very good care of us. The portions were huge - larger than necessary, really - and the self-serve coffee and juice and drinks was actually more convenient than anything. It was fabulous not to have to constantly hassle the waitstaff to bring refills, etc. My french toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream was delicious and there was absolutely nothing left on my plate when I left. My friends got various egg dishes and everyone seemed to enjoy them, though the general consensus was that there was *so* much going on in the dishes that it was almost hard to eat at times. Yassir was a joy; he returned to our table often to see how we were (and maybe to check out my hair?) and it felt as if he had opened up his home to us for the hour we were there. I walked in to Sound Bites with some preconceived notions, and I'm happy that I was completely wrong about all of 'em. Great eats, quality food, good and at times hilarious service, not too hard on the wallet, a little crowded but it's no wonder why! Sound Bites is the real deal - don't be scared!
(4)
Logan J.
okay, im not sure why this doesnt have a higher rating...maybe people have had less than positive experiences here, but im in love with this place. this is one of my favorite brunch places in the boston area and the only reason i dont go every weekend is because i leave here feeling too full! the service here is usually pretty quick and pretty friendly. it has a diner type feel to it, but i think the food is much better than the typical diner. i like that you can get up and get your own coffee from the hanging mugs, and they have so many different choices for brunch. i also love that you can substitute corn bread muffins (which they slice in half and grill!) for toast. i would definitely recommend this place to any friends for a casual brunch place on the weekends. it can get a little crazy sometimes with its location so close to tufts, but its worth the wait.
(5)
Terry C.
My friend and I came after 1:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait. The place is bigger than I had imagined but the tables are too close for comfort. I could have reached over to my neighbor's table to steal a piece of toast. The coffee station is self-served (dine-in or take-out). But it was not written on the menu... We ordered a smoked salmon Benedict, crab-meat Benedict, a side of turkey sausage and a side of french toast. The Benedicts were delicious. It is served with a side of potatoes. The potatoes are unlike other breakfast place - they're mashed/hashed! Everything was really good with the exception of the turkey sausage; it was Meh. A side of fruit platter is served on-the-house which was surprising as most places charge about $4.99 for a fruit plate. I would definitely come back to try other breakfast items. They have stuffed french toast...HmMMmMMmmMm
(4)
Ali W.
O. M. G. Is this heaven? Happiness, my friends.. is easily calculated. Self Serve Gourmet Coffee Bar + Cajun Mashed Potato Home fries + Thick-Cut Tomato and Avocado Eggs Benedict (cooked PERFECTLY) + Side of Turkey Bacon + Splash of Ketchup = THE BEST BREAKFAST EVER! The staff doesn't rush you.. the booth-style tables are super comfortable.. the bar area and bathrooms are clean and cute.. and I love love love that they serve breakfast food ALL DAY, and on the weekdays too! PS - As many people have pointed out, definitely be prepared to wait awhile on a weekend morning for a table.. this place gets pretty jam-packed. I went on a Tuesday morning after the gym, and it was great. But seriously, the food is really worth it, and the value is wonderful.
(5)
Caitlin G.
Great place overall! We had a large party and they were very accommodating to all of us. Our food came out speedily and everything was consistently yummy. I ordered the Eggs Bene with tomato and avocado (hold the sauce) and it was wonderful. The avocado was nicely ripened and the eggs were poached to perfection, which is a very hard thing to do. I'd have to say that the shining star of our breakfast was the fruit bowl that we got to share. It was a huge helping of the freshest fruits on the market, talk about freshly prepared! I don't think I've ever had a more delicious fruit bowl. You could tell that they had just cut up everything and that it hadn't been sitting around for a while. I think my favorite feature was the DIY coffee bar, where you just grab a mug and help yourself to whatever coffee you'd like and fix it to your liking. There's free refills, and you can grab a cup to go! Brilliant. The vibe in Sound Bites was very cool as well, cheerful and upbeat, yet relaxed and chill at the same time. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
KJ F.
* This review is written by an experienced server, hostess, caterer, and trainer in the food industry. As such, I am willing to forgive many things when dining out - I've been there and I know how tough the industry is. It takes a lot for me to publicly dish out a negative review. Prior to writing this, my fellow diner did attempt to give constructive feedback to the hostess at the establishment directly and was told rudely "it is what it is, honey". So if that's how it is, I'm going to let people know. DO NOT GO TO SOUND BITES if you are hoping to enjoy your meal and have an uninterrupted, unhurried conversation with friends. It is clear that moving customers in and out quickly to maximize earnings is more important to the establishment than providing a quality experience. The food was delicious, and service was efficient. Too efficient. We received our food quickly, but we were only halfway finished with our meal before they began to push us out of our booth. We probably spent 45 minutes total at this place, and the last 30 were spent struggling to enjoy our coffee and conversation. At first it seemed the employees were just intent on cleaning away plates and getting us our to-gos and check in a timely fashion. However, once all the dishes were cleared, a different employee interrupted us every 3 minutes either to clean the table, ask if we wanted a bag for our to-go containers, to remind us the check was sitting on the table, or to give a "friendly reminder" that coffee could be taken to-go. The last straw was when our server came over to indirectly suggest for a third time that we take our coffee to go. My friend: " Oh, do you need us to leave?" Server: " Well, we have a line out the door." Me: " Ok, well, we were just going to finish our coffee." Server: " Oh! Of course, take your time." (Right, which is why you've asked us three times in 10 minutes) We were fed up by this point, and left the table. I looked outside to see two couples waiting. Um....yeah.... The irony is, had we been left alone we would have finished our coffee and conversation much more quickly and been on our way.
(1)
Haley T.
First of all, I would like to mention that the fruit bowls are the size of your HEAD. No, seriously, a fruit bowl is not a side here. It's practically dinner. Great selection of delicious, fresh fruit. Unfortunately for me, the vegan options are either the fruit bowl and hummus plate (similarly delicious). But my carnivorous boyfriend worships the corned beef hash here, the coffee is self-serve with plenty of options in variety and milk (and soy!) and the table service is both friendly and quick. Highly recommended for a weekend breakfast or brunch-though you may have to wait a bit for a table.
(5)
Face D.
Bleeblahblergh. That's how I feel about Sound Bites. I went after my birthday weekend was winding down and didn't have to wait in line this time. I was a bit nervous to step inside this place since the last 2 times I was there the same server with the stupid blow-out (dude, c'mon) bumped into me twice, really hard, with no apology. Once spilling my coffee onto myself, and the other just knocking into me so hard. He then looked at me as if it was my fault... when clearly he wasn't looking where he was going. I get it, it gets busy, you need to run to your tables, just look at where you're going... I mean, twice?! Really dude? Take out some of that hair gel and maybe it'll stop mixing with your sweat and leaking into your eyes. The owner gets you seated pretty fast, and the meal is good, it's just that you feel rushed during the whole time. I'll probably try out Kelly's or The Ball Square Cafe next time.
(2)
Lauren M.
Had a weird and rushed breakfast experience at this joint. By the time I was back from pouring my own coffee (self serve drinks- kinda fun!) the waiter was parked at my table taking food orders so I didn't get a real chance to review the menu. Our meals came out super speedy which was nice. The food was fine- everything on my plate was average except for the fried mashed potatoes served as home fries which were delicious! What turned me off was how the waiters and waitresses (we had five different servers- I think they were a tad over-staffed) gave us our bill half way through the meal and swarmed us like hawks until we paid. Never before have I been forced to pay half way through a meal! They kept closing in and took away our plates as rapidly as they could. They patrolled by every .05 seconds to try and clean our table. Then a guy who looked like a manager came over to make sure we had already paid our bill. Jeeeze, they would have dragged us out if they could of. My table of six was in and out in less than 30 minutes. So much for catch up brunch with the girls- I didn't even finish my coffee! Ball Square Cafe next time for sure.
(2)
Alexandre S.
I'm amazed at the negative reviews this place is getting! I'm there all the time and I've never been left dissatisfied. The service is effective and friendly without being overbearing, and I like that I'm welcome to grab a drink or a coffee while I'm waiting to be seated. The food is reliably cooked to my taste, the menue is extensive-- even for a gluten-free vegetarian like me, and while they do cover all the basics, a lot of what their menue offers in uniquely Sound Bites. I'm not big on reviews, but this is hands down my favorite "casual dining" place in Somerville, and it just doesn't deserve the scorn of the squeaky wheels on Yelp.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
I have dreams about their multigrain waffles topped with fresh fruit. I wish I could order something else to try something different, but (for me) it's just one of those things that when you eat it, you fall in love and can't imagine not having it when it's right there. Also, their grilled corn muffins are the bomb, and the coffee bar with different flavors is a real treat. This place is absolutely delicious and totally worth the wait. Service is fast and friendly too.
(5)
Eloni F.
Sound Bites is a natural place to fall in love with for brunch/breakfast. They serve breakfast all day and their home-fries (which are pan friend mashed potato type magic) are simply wonderful. I like their omelettes which are pretty much perfect and they sometimes offer pancake variations that are fun. They almost always offer free fruit just to be nice either at the beginning of a meal or at the end. I like that you can get your own OJ or coffee instead of having to wait for a waiter and it is wonderful that they also have a full bar. Brunch is enhanced by the addition of a mimosa or bloody mary. I have been to the next door Ball Square Cafe that served me a less than ideal meal. I have not felt the same about Sound Bites... The one star I took away is that their lunch options are not great. Ohwell... I can always keep having breakfast.
(4)
Mark S.
I take pride in my breakfast, and Ive been across the country and back. Sound Bites is 2nd to none. It truly doesn't get any better. My last visit included a Lobster Benedict that blew my dome. For 10 years Ive tried to find something around the country that can even come close. There is nothing that beats this place /end thread
(5)
Kate T.
If you can avoid coming here on a weekend, do it. Otherwise, prepare to wait outside in a line for upwards of 20 minutes. After waiting all that time for a table this past Sunday the service was pretty subpar. I understand they're trying to get people in and out, but our waiter didn't even greet us. The food is basic. The wait is long. Save your time and money and head across the street to True Grounds.
(2)
Megan B.
Great food! I was very excited that Sound Bites was open on the snowiest day of the year...we had a certified blizzard outside, but warm yummy breakfast inside at Sound Bites. You'll wait in line during a Sat/Sun, but it's worth the wait!
(4)
chelle h.
Stuffed fig french toast, veggie sausage, insanely good home fries and the chance to make your own perfect cup of coffee. Yes, yes, yes, and yes. This is my idea of brunch heaven. Minus a star for the lame seating arrangements. You have to listen to the next table's conversation whether you like it or not.
(4)
Mickey M.
I'd heard so many good things about Sound Bites since they took over the space previously occupied by El Guapo's. I went there this past weekend, and was a little disappointed. The place was bumpin' and we didn't have to wait a long time; so that's a good thing. They have a self-serve coffee station, so that too is a good thing. You're able to grab your own drinks, so that's great as well. The service was quick. We didn't feel pushed, but we were in and out within 30 minutes. They're fast-paced, so you may want to expect it. The food was the disappointment. I'd like to check it out when it's less crowded, and give it a follow-up review; but for right now, the hype doesn't match the product. I'm a picky breakfast guy, so that should be considered too. =)
(3)
Corinna W.
I live about 35-40 minutes away and I still make it a point to go to Sound Bites as often as I can. It's really that good. The food is delicious, the menu is diverse. I'm one of those people who finds a dish and sticks to it, but the menu at Sound Bites is so eclectic and interesting that I've been able to make it a point not to pick the same thing twice. I've never had a meal I didn't like, and the one time I thought something was average, I ordered something I normally wouldn't eat anyway and it still wasn't bad. It's usually pretty busy when I go, and the service isn't attentive, but that's not a bad thing. I prefer not to be bothered when I'm eating anyway. And if the long line deters you, it moves pretty quickly. When it gets busy they're pretty good about getting people in and out as fast as they can, but not rushing anyone who's eating. And I've heard plenty of bad things about the owner but every encounter I've had with him he's been a pretty nice guy. My boyfriend and I went for a late breakfast on a Sunday (around 3 pm), not realizing they close early on Sundays, and he felt so bad he let us come in and take free coffee to go and gave us some cups of fresh fruit. So based on my experiences, I'm going to disagree with anyone who argues that he's a disagreeable man. And in reality, who cares? If the food is as delicious as this, why does it matter what the owner acts like? You're going out to breakfast, not to be buddy buddy with the guy. And on that note, I haven't tried any of their lunch or dinner foods, but I can tell you that anything you order for breakfast will be awesome. I recommend the breakfast bowls or the tomato avocado eggs benedict (add bacon). I just found out they have trivia, so I'm going to try to go by on an evening to see what the dinner/trivia scene is all about. If there's anywhere I would recommend in the greater Boston area for breakfast, it's Sound Bites. Seriously.
(5)
Steph P.
Some good, some bad. We got a table right away- good. Nice service- good. Free little plate of fruit- good. Serve yourself drinks- good and bad. Lots of choices, but you feel like you are in everyone's way. Food comes out fast- good. Crab on the crab benedict- good, but cold therefore making the rest of the benedict cold, therefore bad. Stuffed french toast, not quite stuffed, not quite good. Garlic mashed potatoes grilled up- good. Microwaved bacon- bad.
(3)
Mollie W.
I'm going to go all out and give Mr. Grumpy from Soundbites five stars. If I worked as much as him, I'd probably be a little terse with people that are mad because their 'pancakes aren't buttered' Yes, thats a real quote from someone who reviewed prior. Maybe some buttering would burn off some caloric goodness that's about to ensue? Maybe the butter is just a suggestion but not a requirement. First off, self-serve unlimited cup of coffee. I only like flavored and it's WONDERFUL try the chocolate raspberry, or irish cream. Awesome after standing in the cold for an hour to get in. And one day mr grumpy soundbites let us in from the line to get coffee to wait in line with outside. Next , Breakfast. I'm a huge fan of the avocado-eggs benedict. It has probably a whole avocado in place of the ham. I dislike ham so its a great switch for me. Hollandaise is great and homemade. French toast (stuffed), and the tex-mex and ole' omelets are also excellent The no-place like homefries=Garlicky mashed potatoes fried up. They're deadly good, as in I think my cholesterol is higher thinking about them. But worth it. So try out soundbites, especially the specials menu. It'll be work the wait!
(5)
Kristen M.
My boyfriend and I went for brunch a few weeks back and the food was excellent. I got nutella and banana stuffed french toast and my bf got the ham and cheese omelet. Our wait wasn't bad at all as we expected it to be a long one. One thing i'll skip out on is the mimosa-- although it was good, just TOO expensive. The price we paid could have been for a dinner-- never expect to pay that much for two at breakfast. Other than that, i'll def try again
(4)
Markey-Mark M.
Best. Place. for. Breakfast. Ever. Love it. There's always a line sat/sun morning, but it moves quickly and it's great that they let you take a coffee out while you wait. Tons of veggie options, which I really appreciate, and everything I've had there is delicious. Just don't expect to go in and sit around for a while after your meal as they like everyone to order, eat and then leave promptly to make space for the people waiting outside.
(5)
Team O.
No thanks. I got the ole omlette, which was tasty, and the "hash browns" were pretty neat. It was actually a pan fried brick of mashed potatoes. But we will not be eating here again. Their commitment to charging you for little things overshadowed the meal. The lady asked for some pickles on the side (cravings need to be satisfied, no matter the time of day) and they were happy to oblige with a small plate with three pickle spears, then charge us $3.50 for them. Anyway, our bill was close to 20 bucks for one average meal, a bagel, three quarters of a pickle, and some self serve coffee (which was more expensive than any served coffee at a breakfast place I've even been). Not impressed.
(2)
Melinda P.
I have always heard of Sound Bites but had never been there til today. I sat at the bar and ordered a coffee and my waiter sent me to a "do it yourself coffee bar" w/ two different coffee choices (i had the house blend) and to eat i had scrambled egg whites, home fries, turkey bacon & wheat toast (very healthy of me) then the most embarrasing thing happened to me, the waiter brought me the check, I opened my wallet and had realized i had forgotten my wallet. The owner come to talk to me and simply just took my name down and said that if I promissed to come back, that I could pay it then. Even after I offered to leave a collateral and run home to get the card and come back to pay he wouldnt let me. I work in the restaurant business and its not everyday that I see a restaurant owner being so nice. I really appreciate it and I promisse to come back and bring my friends =) Thank you again
(5)
Cici C.
Staff rude. Food is just ok, nothing to tell your friends about. Constantly got elbowed by people walking by. As soon as we put out forks down our dishes were gone. Halfway out of our seats two female staff were already reaching over us cleaning our area. Unbelievable. Been here few times and will not be back after today.
(1)
Michael K.
This is my favorite breakfast joint in Somerville. If I'm not eating there once a week I feel like my life is lacking a certain something.... I've made a point to try something different every time and have yet to be disappointed. Personal favorite is the Broadway Bowl which is essentially everything delicious about breakfast thrown into a bowl. All of the dishes with avocado on them are also amazing. Really I have nothing bad to say about this place. The self serve coffee was a little weird to me at first but now I prefer it and can assure I have a hot cup of coffee at my leisure. Be warned on the weekends the lines can get kind of gnarly but not nearly as bad as the lines at Ball Square Cafe. BUT if you're a party of two they're usually able to seat you very fast. So dont be disheartened by the long line, it moves really fast. Manager is really friendly as well, and if you're lucky he'll hook you up with a plate of fruit just for the heck of it. Go eat here and be happy.
(5)
Jeremy K.
There is very little I can add, especially since this place has been reviewed 210 times. I went there earlier today for a late brunch and ordered the eggs bene, a dish which I find to be hard for a breakfast place to master. The order arrived promptly but I was a bit confused with the fact that I had to go get my own drink. It threw me off and I found it to be annoying if anything. The order of my eggs benefict arrived promptly though, in about 5 minutes, if that. They were perfectly done and tasted amazing. So was the freshly pressed OJ cup I picked up in the refreshment area they have. The service was quick and efficient, because they need high turnover. I did find it a bit obnoxious that they brought the bill to our table before we were even halfway done. They weren't that busy and we fell kind of rushed. That aside the place is near flawless. Good prices, good atmosphere and they even had a nice little terrace. Parking's isn't too shaby either, Ball square has plenty of street parking available.
(4)
Billy Su B.
sweet pizzles, some of these reviews are like freudian dreamworks SOMETIMES, A SAUSAGE is JUST a SAUSAGE. **skipping the 2 page life-story trend ** -the pancakes were delightful- they tasted ever so slightly of some kind of corn flour -zee zausage leenks ver zo goot! -the homefries were HEAVEN! i forgot to ask that they leave the homefries off my order b/c i'm always too full to eat them and they're never that good anyway and i hate wasting food, but i'm SO GLAD they came b/c they were unusual, delicious, heavenly, creamy/crispy/whipped/delightful -self serve coffee kept me on the move, which is good considering the amount of food i ate + i hate waiting around for coffee -the eggs, though ordered over medium, were scrambled and lovely, and the hot sauce was dreamy -the bagel was average, nothing to gripe about there is a full bar. A FULL BAR. why are you still reading? go to sound bites you fool.
(4)
Leighann F.
A lazy Sunday and another brunch arrives, leading us to Sound Bites. Arriving after one, you'll find ample seating and some friendly, if not a bit frazzled, staff members rushing about the restaurant, which is filled with customers who are eating, chatting and enjoying their slow Sunday morning. This AM, we were among the newer customers, enjoying such novelties as a self-serve coffee bar with 6-8 different brews, a variety of milk (skim, whole and soy), plus syrups for flavoring. You have to appreciate, despite the bustle, how quickly the food arrived...though the (not very good at all) Eggs Benedict came a good five minutes before the (most amazing) French Toast (I've ever had in my life). Crusted in cereal, walnuts and almonds, drizzled in carmelized blueberries and banana, this giant dish of sweet, crunchy morning delight certainly washed any disdain previously felt by its late arrival. Sound Bites earns a spot in the brunch rotation. Find a way to work it into your Sunday, just avoid the Eggs Benedict!
(4)
S. S.
This place is within walking distance from my house - ventured in on a weekday here to avoid the crowds. Ordered a latte and the stuffed french toast with strawberries and ricotta. The "latte" was just drip coffee with some milk dumped into it. The cup was dirty and lined with some leftover coffee residue - disgusting. As for the french toast - hands down the second worst french toast I have ever tasted. My god - it was soggy and tasteless and the strawberries had this weird moldy taste to it. I paid and left about 5 minutes after the food arrived, feeling pretty nauseous. I am not a complainer or very picky - but this food was pretty horrible. I left it pretty much untouched and not even an eyebrow raised from the serve staff. Ball square cafe - I am sorry I decided to betray you today - I got what I deserved!
(1)
stephanie b.
Always good food. Tonite, the delivery man captured my declawed (no I did not do this) cat that escaped outside when I opened the door. He actually brought him back, had him in his arms, back to safety. . I can't ever thank him enough.
(5)
Zara D.
Oh Sound Bites. Everyone I know has a love/hate relationship with this restaurant. Well, after yesterday morning, I would say I am now solidly towards the hate end of that spectrum. 1) The wait staff is incompetent and rude. They are always rushing you. But whatever, I had put up with it in the past because the food was great. 2) However, yesterday the food was so-so at best. I CERTAINLY could have produced better in my own kitchen. 3) The bill. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! When you are spending over 20 bucks just to eat breakfast...well, that just about blows my mind. $2.50 for your weak, watery coffee?! $4 for a gatorade?! Who are these people? Unless their gatorade is made of unicorn blood, it should NEVER be that expensive. And added gratuity, if I were a party of 7 I'd understand...but we were 5 people. The amount added was bogus and they were certainly undeserving of it. Sorry to say Sound Bites, but until you change your 'tude and your prices, I probably won't be coming back.
(2)
David V.
For years I visited this establishment pretty regularly. The staff was hurried bordering on rude, but when you were waiting in line outside it was good to know the staff was trying to keep turnover high. About two years ago, I met 2 friends for a late brunch at Sound Bites, and toward the end of our meal, the owner accidentally bumped into the chair of one of my friends - and proceeded to throw a temper tantrum for the entire restaurant to see. Basically, we were kicked out, all because someone's chair was sticking out into the aisle by a few inches. Seinfeld's NYC has The Soup Nazi. Here in Somerville we have The Breakfast Nazi. With Ball Square Cafe open next door and featuring as its head cook the creator of Sound Bites' menu, there's no reason to ever endure the erratic behavior of the Breakfast Nazi.
(1)
Kate L.
My favorite breakfast place has started to cut some serious corners. I wish I had Yelped about Sound Bites a few months back. My boyfriend and I have been to many a local breakfast joint, but this was the one we always came back to- happily. It had lightning quick service, delicious food, and a very reasonably priced menu. But we stopped in this morning after a long hiatus and were disappointed in nearly every regard. Their homemade orange juice is now a watered down fake, their potatoes (my favorite part of going there before) are not so good now and, dare I say, maybe made with fake potatoes? Their muffins are now gummy and their coffee now bitter... even the garnishes are under-ripened fruit slices. We were very surprised and very disappointed. I really hope this was a bad weekend and not a bad trend. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, Sound Bites! Here's one couple who's really hoping you go back to the way thing used to be... and quick.
(2)
Brian I.
A legendary Ball Square institution. The owner of Sound Bites has a ridiculously great facial-recognition memory. I think it's a trait that separates the wheat from the chaff in hospitality. If you visit him often enough, he will remember you and reward you for your loyalty, first with fresh fruit, and perhaps other treats. Our first visit to Sound Bites was about seven years ago when Yasser was operating in the small leased space from Victor's Deli (where Ball Square Cafe and Breakfast is today.) Weekend crowds and lines speak for themselves - folks in Somerville and Cambridge tend to be serious about brunch and high-quality food in general, and they've rewarded Sound Bites with serious success. I'm a huge fan of just about each omelette and the legendary "no place like home" fries. My wife enjoys the sweeter breakfast fare - stuffed french toast, pancakes, and such. I've never been disappointed. Sound Bites was a "go to" place for us when we have out of town visitors. One of my friends from NJ made special requests to visit each weekend he was in town. Since our early visits, Yasser has expanded both across the street (to the Sound Bites BBQ) and next door, to his expanded location that was formerly a Mexican restaurant. He has a full bar and liquor license, and has been serving "brinner" - breakfast for dinner - for several weeks now, in addition to a delightful dinner menu of American and Middle Eastern choices. Support him and try dinner there one night! Ball Square Cafe, next door, is owned by the family that operates Victor's Deli. That they've so closely replicated Yasser's breakfast model speaks volumes about Sound Bites' success. Try the genuine article first. In addition to the above, Yasser is a fine Somerville citizen and has supported the proliferation of small, locally owned businesses. He was also extremely supportive of a non-profit fundraising effort we had recently. I'd say all the above even if he had not.
(5)
Paul W.
One of my favorite places to eat breakfast on the weekend that is close by. I like the option of being able to get coffee in line while you wait. They have a good selection of coffee and it has good turnaround that it is always fresh. They also won't ask for you to move tables once you've been seated and waiting for a larger table like Ball Square Cafe will. Let's just say I've never been back to Ball Square because of that. Not worth it. Last time I was here I had the Tuscan omelette and it was tasty! They give a lot of fillings with the omelette so you don't feel cheated. The home fries are really good with some Tabasco sauce. Mmmmmm. The menu is extensive with a variety of options. If you like breakfast sandwiches, their deluxe sandwich is good too. Get ready to wait and to get kicked out so that others can get in.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
As I was falling asleep on a Saturday night a couple of weekends ago, I found myself thinking about brunch--dreams of bagels and lox, omelets, pancakes, stuffed french toast with fruit, and hot chocolate danced through my head. The next morning, after a quick consultation on Yelp, we decided to head out to Ball Square and see if we could scrounge up a table for two. The Ball Square Cafe was nuts, so we ended up in Sound Bites. It was a good thing we got there when we did too (around 10 am): by the time we left, there was quite the line. Inside, Sound Bites was pretty loud. The tables are very close together, which adds to the noise/chaos level. The breakfast/brunch menu consists of pretty much everything you might want for breakfast/brunch: eggs, lots of omelet options, an interesting variety of eggs benedict, waffles, french toast, pancakes, baked goods, etc. So yes, the menu read well: the only problem was the feeling that we were being rushed. The service was undoubtedly the biggest negative of our experience (and the main reason behind the 2-star rating). Our waitress moved in too fast to get our order (we had to ask for more time twice), and then disappeared. Every time something came to our table (my hot chocolate, the food, our check), it was brought by a different person. Initially I thought this was a good thing--maybe we'd get a waiter who didn't seem so focused on getting us through there fast--but the rushing turned out to be a trend. Our check came well before my bf was done with his food, and our plates were scooped up before we were even sure we were done. I understand that there was a line, but it seems a bit ridiculous that we were being hurried out so soon, particularly considering that we barely spent half-an-hour inside. The food was mixed. There's a coffee/juice bar where you can serve yourself, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to notice this until after I ordered hot chocolate (there's nothing like a small mug of Swiss Miss for $2.50, topped with the whipped cream I had asked be held). My bf's french toast, stuffed with goat cheese and pear was pretty tasty--no complaints there. On the other hand, I really wasn't digging my mushroom and boursin cheese omelet. The little amount of cheese in the omelet was all at one end of it, and there was way too much herb and mushroom in ratio to the cheese and eggs. I also wasn't very impressed with the bagel--if I ever go back, I'll be ordering toast. Overall, the best thing on my plate was the hash browns: the potatoes tasted like they'd been mashed, amped up with some sour cream, and pan-fried. I think this was a poor job of ordering on my part: the Mexican omelets that arrived at the table next to ours after we placed our order looked much more delicious than what I got.
(2)
Keiko Z.
My husband and I, when we first moved to Somerville last year, kept hearing our friends talk about Sound Bites- we had to go there. Well, we went there a couple of weeks ago, and well, color me unimpressed. I'm not really sure what the hype is about. Fruit bowls? I mean, that's great if you're really into your breakfast fruits, but who goes out to a restaurant for a fruit bowl? There are certain things that I try to use as a gauge when testing out new places. For ice cream shops, try their vanilla. For breakfast joints, order the eggs. Well, the eggs, were... eggs. I wasn't about to splurge on a special without testing their foundation, and I just wasn't impressed. Add to the fact that we were packed in like sardines, our waitress spaced out big time, and that they charge you $4 for a cup a fresh squeezed OJ (we actually thought our waitress was kidding when she handed us the check)... it left a lot to be desired. $35 for coffee, juice, eggs, mashed potatoes (b/c, let's face it- those are just fried mashed potatoes, not home fries), and mediocre service isn't my idea of the place you've just GOTTA go to for breakfast.
(2)
Angela M.
I lived about a 15 minute walk away from this place for a little over a year and was saddened that my first time here wasn't until I came back to visit a friend. How did I not know about this place? It's awesome! We went on a Saturday at brunch time and were pleased to only have to wait a few minutes to sit down. The staff were incredibly friendly and the food was superb. I got the french toast and it made me cry a little. In a good "crying over your food because it's so amazing" sort of way. Needless to say, next time I am in Boston, I will be back. Also...the serve-your-own coffee bar should be a staple of every restaurant.
(5)
AN D.
I've never been here for brunch- I wasn't even aware they did that. I come to Soundbites all the time with my friend for drinks. The bartenders and servers are amazing- nothing but love. They really make it the great place it is. Soundbites is a good choice if you want someplace not too crowded to talk and have a cocktail and some food. Thursday nights it fills up because they have trivia, which is also lots of fun. I'm definitely a fan.
(5)
Cha Cha W.
Woo they've upgraded the decor since I've last been here! And yet somehow, there still manages to be a line out the door. This place is so awesome, like diner awesome, like back alley/basement Chinese food/hole in the wall (no longer)/keep it a secret awesome except for said line around the corner. A friend of mine gave me the great idea of calculating $ value for food by calories/$ spent. Believe it or not by that calculation, spam scores highest! Some of the menu offerings here come pretty close though, pretty tasty too while you're getting major value for your calories!
(4)
Lea R.
My boyfriend and I just moved to the boston area and looked up good restaurants in the area and based on reviews we decided on Sound Bites and we have not gone out to eat any where else since we have been here. Amazing omelets, French Toast, fresh fruit & vegetables and a very friendly staff! The portions are just the right size and when I said they have fresh fruit and veggies, I meant it. It is so hard to find a gem restaurant like this....
(5)
Shannon F.
Since that last review, I have found myself at soundbites at least once a month, and you know what? I love this place. I think i let some previous reviews sway my original impression. Now that I've become a good customer, the service is always more than pleasant. Actually, the owner often greets us with kisses! Ok, well I don't get kisses but my gf does. I'm not offended- and nothing personal but a friendly smile and greeting is enough for me! The menu here is unique and they're always offering brunch specials that sound amazing. One reason i go so often is to attempt to try everything. Also, I'm not sure if they're still serving dinner here but I tried it once and I was very impressed with my meal, and the variety on the menu.
(4)
Ashley F.
Note: I've basically copy and pasted my review from The Ball Square Cafe. I saw no difference between the two places. We came here for brunch. There was no one at the front to seat us, though we could hear the staff socializing in the kitchen (we figured out it was seat yourself). Finally the server came by and dropped off the menus. (The only difference from Ball Square Cafe that I found was that the Cafe at least had a place for people to sit and wait out of the elements). The staffers tried to sound polite when they talked to customers, but it came off forced and fake. Let's start with the server. Our server was absent and fake with the friendliness. He didn't check on us once to see if we were ok with our meal. He also dropped off the check before we asked for it--a sure sign that he was pushing us to leave so that she could flip the table. Not a pleasant atmosphere to eat in. And then there's the self service drinks. You have to go up and get all of your own water, juice, or any other drink that you want to have. Fine, whatever, except that those drinks go on your bill, which then most people TIP off of. So you're tipping the waiter for drinks that you had to fetch yourself. Charming. Let's review: I saw my "waiter" twice: once to take the order, and once to bring us our food. He never brought us anything, and never checked on us. That's the kind of service you get at a fastfood joint, and you don't tip them. The service we got does not warrant tipping at all. People, if you do tip, be sure to deduct the price of the drinks from the tab before tipping, and remember to always tip before tax. Finally, the food. I always get pancakes the first time I eat at a brunch place. They're a simple dish, and if you can't get pancakes right you're a shitty place to have breakfast. I was very disappointed to receive meh pancakes. When they cooled off a bit they started tasting so bad that I couldn't continue eating them. To top it off, they charge you for "real" maple syrup. This place blew and we're not coming back.
(1)
AJ T.
This is the first time I have given only one star to a place that had good food. The food was not the problem. First, we were rushed through our entire meal. Four of us were through our entire breakfast and rushed out the door in under a 1/2 hour. The waiter made us order (even though I needed more time to read the extensive menu). The food came quickly. The tab was left on are table before we were done and then the waiter came over and prompted us to pay and said other people were waiting. He said we should take are coffee to go. This was really rude. While we were sorting out the bill he came over and knocked on the table because we were not fast enough for him. I also hate getting my own coffee and water, which is in a crammed corner of this crowded place (good thing I wasn't hung-over, it would have been even more annoying.).
(1)
Michael S.
Excellent Breakfast!! The Cornbread Pancakes are to die for!! And the eggs benedict are yummy as well. Long lines on the weekends so get there early.
(4)
Denise W.
I'm mad I had to give Sound Bites 4 stars instead of 5, but it's because while their breakfast is top-notch in every which direction, the dinner is just okay. But back to the breakfast. I got a plate of freshly cut fruit, on the house, and that had me sold. Self-serve drink area and the self-seating during non-busy times are folksy enough to work, and when my brunch partner decided he wanted hot chocolate, it was prepared and brought to us instantly, all in a cute mug with whipped cream and nutmeg on top. HELLO. The proprieters, or who I assume to be the proprieters, are the nicest people. The food arrived quickly, which was necessary for our famished states, and the portions are huge. How do I know? The guy I dined with is 6'3" and is in his twenties (= hella appetite) and he said, "Wow, that's a lot of food!" By the way, I had an avocado, tomato, and jack cheese omelette and it changed my world. The lucky part is that they serve breakfast all day. Everything else, dinner and whatnot, is good but not outstanding. Perhaps its Sound Bites' brilliance in the breakfast department that makes all else pale in comparison, but I behoove you to try it out.be
(4)
Melanie T.
I hadn't been to Sound Bites in years since I moved out of the 'hood. I'm back in the 'hood so I returned to find Sound Bites in its new digs. Still the same line, no focus on customer service, no chance to linger. But that's sort of the charm. Menu is big and everything sounds enticing. Portions are large. Eggs are cooked very well. Fruit bowl is big and lovely. Home fries are still mashed potato-ey but they weren't as good as I remembered. The staff came by no less than 4 times to "fix" the specials menu on our table (one stood it up in between the ketchup and salt, another came by to lay it down, the next stood it back up, etc.). That was weird. Still a solid brunch spot.
(3)
Roland W.
Great Food!! We went on the weekday, so there was no waiting. Although I have heard they get you in and out pretty fast during the busy time. I personally liked the self serve coffee bar, as I like to have more coffee than any wait staff should have to keep up with pouring. We also got a few rounds of fresh fruit on the house, and a nice chat with one of the owners. Cheers!! and Thanks......
(5)
buckminster f.
we finally went here after all the hype, not because we wanted to but because an out of town visitor chose the venue and was paying for our meal. pretty much everything was underwhelming, especially the bf's salmon omelette. usually it's a great thing to have a generous portion of smoked salmon on your plate, except in cases like these when the fish is stinky. bleh.
(3)
Olivia S.
I was so excited to go out for breakfast with my daughter, but man, what a disappointment this place was. As we entered, we barely got greeted by a bored server. We ordered a hot cocoa and strawberry-chocolate chip for my little girl and a Capuccino plus the special French toast stuffed with mascarpone and caramelized apples. When the food came, both plates had extra butter in those tiny plastic containers. My French toast didn't seem to have any mascarpone in it, and when I asked where it was, the server pointed to the blob of off-white stuff on top. I tasted it and it tasted like butter. Then the manager (?) came and brought me some more of that dreadful stuff in a little dish explaining that they mix the mascarpone with butter "so that it tastes better" (really? why would mascarpone have to taste better???)! I took a sip of my Capuccino and almost spit it out - it tasted that awful. The milk tasted weird and the espresso they put into it was rancid. My daughter left her pancakes pretty much untouched and when I asked why, she said because she didn't like them. I tried them and they were awful. They tasted like - you guessed it! - butter. Salted butter. And the strawberries tasted like nothing. In August. Really? You can't find fresh produce in August??? My suggestion for this place would be to find better ingredients and forget the damn butter. I love butter but it won't make things taste better if you smother it all over everything. I can't believe I actually paid for my meal there. If my daughter hadn't been there with me, I would have thrown a fit. These people need to get there act together and serve food that is at least decent. Oh, and what's up with these servers whom you have to beg to serve you the food you're paying food? Fire them all! I'm never going back to this place and will tell me friends to stay away too.
(1)
Jennifer B.
This place puts my old neighborhood, Ball Square, on the map. When I get a jonesin' for Boston around this time of year (fall can't be beat) I start thinking of fig stuffed french toast, exhorbitant breakfast wait times*, and the friendly funny people working here who hide behind a preposterous facade of surliness, and the aroma of the flavored coffee-while-you-wait. We'd send a roommate out to put our names in, then mosey around the block in our sweet time, taking in the weekend bustle of this confused preppy college-meets-working-class neighborhood. Dearer to my heart then fantastic in your face. All the same, five stars. *until you sit down, at which point you are pushed through a gruelingly paced meal, where you might find yourself exasperatedly swatting at the hands of men trying to take your plate away while it still has a few precious bites left on it.
(5)
Ken M.
Sound Bites is really popular for brunch, but now that they've expanded (it's been a long time between visits), the line seems to move very quickly. It's pretty good quality food, but other than that, it's a mixed bag for me. The service is gruff and rough, but the prices are moderately high. Serve yourself drinks are really expensive. I really like the potatoes, but that's because now I'm used to the fact that they are mashed potatoes and not home fries or hash browns. The avocado and tomato eggs benedict was awesome.
(3)
Sonia G.
This is a place in my backyard. I mostly go because it's an easy walk and up until today the food was decent (that said, i would never wait in the 2 hour lines that some people do). Today, however, opened my eyes and I can honestly say I'll never go back. I ordered the Moroccan eggs which came with 3 poached eggs. When the food arrived my eggs were hard boiled, not poached, so I asked if they could correct it. When the meal came back from the kitchen I literally got RAW eggs. I was so disgusted I couldn't even eat it, so I set it aside. I'm not typically one to send things back to the kitchen and I certainly didn't feel like doing it twice in one day, but you would think that someone would ask or follow up with me. Nope... The wait staff is rude and didn't stop by at all during the meal. We were there very early and there were only 2 other tables in use at the restaurant, so it's not like they were too busy to check in. And when they came to clear the table and saw my plate was untouched I made it a point to tell them that it was terrible. There were no apologies, no attempts to correct it and certainly no conversation about maybe not charging me for something that was inedible. The service has never been good here, but I always dealt with it in exchange for ease of location and decent food. No more for me. I'll go next door to Ball Square Cafe from now on even if it does mean waiting a little longer.
(1)
P T.
Best breakfast food I've had. It's not greasy and heavy but rather leaves you feeling energetically full for the rest of the day! Ingredients all taste fresh. I've been here for breakfast twice and have had to order the challah french toast with fruit both times. DELISH!! The eggs bene are also great. The only downside is the wait but is definitely worth it..
(4)
Alyson G.
My friend and I stopped in for brunch here and proceeded to order the whole menu. Well not quite, but I did order an avocado, tomato and cheese omelet (with egg beaters), bacon and a side of french toast (to share). My friend ordered the golden grill (I think that's what it's called) that came with a delish grilled corn muffin. Yes I even tried the muffin! Love that you can serve yourself coffee since I need caffeine pront. Everyone was super nice and service was pretty quick for a busy Saturday afternoon. There was no wait for us, we got to sit right away at the bar. This week I ordered take out (the basic with egg beaters and a bagel) and that was really good too. I am hooked on their grilled mashed potatoes. Since I tend to sleep in on Saturdays, I'm always looking for places that serve breakfast late. Glad there in one right close to me. So when I want to order brunch at 2 or 3, I still can!
(4)
Lala L.
This joint is great for a small last minute brunch. The line can be long, since there's no more than 10 tables there. No big parties please! My fave is the omelette with avocado, jack cheese and tomatoes. yum! The best part of this place is their "hash/homefries" - it's actually a wedge of mashed potatoes that's crispy on the outside. They also offer muffins, pancakes...etc...and the coffee is self serve. Be careful though, don't get too comfortable, I got yelled at for using my cell phone.
(3)
A J.
Dining at Sound Bites for breakfast is like an experience unlike most others. Sometimes the place is crowded and you wait in a long line; but some random times many tables empty out together and you get seated quickly. Sometimes they give you a free fruit plate and super fast service; other times you wait a while for service- granted by "wait a while" it is probably the average length at most places but a while by Sound Bites standards. I have been there numerous times at various hours throughout the morning/early afternoon and it just seems like pure luck of which experience you will have. With that said, the staff is very nice, although very abrupt (do not get nice confused with friendly) and I am always happy with my food. I know some people love this place for their self-service drinks, but I like their hot chocolate which is one of the few drinks they actually serve you. I order my bacon well done and it always comes out crispy. I also enjoy the variety of fruit pancakes they offer which are always very good. But most importantly, the main staple of my breakfast, the eggs.... If you like your eggs over-easy, and I mean really over-easy, where you just touch the egg with the fork and the yolk starts running everywhere, then you will be very happy with Sounds Bites. A lot of places seem to overcook the eggs and that takes all the fun out of ordering over-easy eggs when you cant sop up the yolk with your toast. I know, those who are not a fan of runny eggs may be disgusted by that but those who love them as much as I do know exactly what I am talking about! I cant speak about any other types of eggs there, but if you are a fan of over-easy, then I promise you will be very pleased!!
(5)
Christine C.
One suggestion - know what you want before you even sit down (especially on the weekends). The lines can be long on the weekends but the food is quite good and there is a lot of character. The owner is sometimes grumpy and sometimes cheerful and sometimes rude. You just have to take your chances. I went there with my kids (1 and 3) and we got seated right away. It doesn't happen every time, but it was nice. If you go there on the weekday, it is much less crowded and you can take your time. The food is good and it comes FAST.
(4)
Kathleen D.
I just can't see waiting in line that long for breakfast on the weekends. I went on a weekday and didn't have a wait. The place is nice with self serve coffee...and the food was decent, but again...the wait just doesn't seem worth it.
(3)
Valerie W.
Another great restaurant spot in Boston (or should I say Medford/Somerville). Maybe the line isn't worth waiting for if its pouring down rain, but then again, maybe it is. Best to go on a weekday morning/afternoon. The breakfast here is great.... I especially love the moroccan eggs.. so fresh and good! Be prepared to see a lot of Tufts students, which can be pretty funny if you are one as you almost ALWAYS run into couples eating away their morning-after shame. Regardless, the food is consistently great.... but be prepared to be a little rushed by the sometimes pushy owner... best not bring anyone who tends to push back.
(4)
Eric C.
Fantastic food, especially for foodie/veggies! But it's a semi-long wait, and you gotta eat fast...
(5)
Jason K.
Honestly, I think Soundbites is pretty over-rated. I mean it has it's upside - coffee while you wait (this is huge) but you wait and wait and wait to be hurried out. The food had 'flair' I guess,but when it comes to hungover breakfast (or any breakfast for that matter), I'm more of an eggs and bloodies kind of guy - see you at Johnny D's.
(2)
Veronica V.
I have a love/hate relationship with Sound Bites. On one hand, there is no doubt about it - it's the best breakfast in the area. The mashed potato home fries are unbelievable, the challah bread french toast is a masterpiece. On the other hand, it's not a relaxing breakfast experience at all. If you get there between 11-1 on a weekend, forget about it, you're waiting an hour in line. No thanks, I'll go to Supreme Kitchen instead. When you finally do get in, they try to get you in and out of there as soon as possible. That means the second you finish your plate, a busser swoops in and grabs it. Sometimes I'm one of the chosen ones who gets a free fruit plate from the owner. I'm not sure how he determines who gets them, but whatever, I feel special. It's all worth it if you get the free fruit. Overall, you can't live in Somerville and not try Sound Bites at least once. It's an experience in itself and again, the food is fantastic.
(4)
Alfa N.
I really dig this place. Some of my fav' bfast are pancakes, malted waffle, french toast, breakfast sandwiches and lunches? great grilled chix, best felafel around (even better than the MIT felafel truck). And best bowl of fruit around by a country mile. I like the new place, really swanky and I hope it will develop character in time but I am already nostalgic for the old place, same reason I like Charlies in the South End, old, small, dingy, I am down wif dat. I've not come here on weekends, so I can't comment on the crowds or services, but I eat here at least once a week since our office is in Davis, and I really like the people here, they have characters, perhaps, some people may need the "Hi Honey" greetings, but this sort of superficiality I often get in Texas really annoys me, but hey, different strokes.
(4)
alex l.
one of my favorite breakfast places. i usually get the nutrigrain waffle with fruit. the wait can be a little annoying but once you get in, it's worth it!
(4)
Ethan H.
Great. The crab eggs benny are killer and they don't skimp on the crabmeat. They had a goat cheese and pear french toast special that was amazing. My only beef is the syrup isn't real maple syrup. If the owner is reading this- putting fake syrup on your good food is blasphemy- I would even pay extra for the real stuff- we are in new england- we are used to the good shit.
(5)
Ligaya T.
this place is packed from six am to two pm (close). all kinds of people: families, tufts students, somerville locals. come in sweats, clothes from the frat party the night before. no one cares, everyone comes to devour (my fav are the eggs florentine). environment is boisterous and fun when the third wave hits at 11. remember hearing about the soup nazi in nyc? well, find his middle-eastern brother at sound bites. once you get past the lines trailing blocks DO NOT try to read a paper, talk on the mobile or exercise indecisiveness about the menu or the owner, yasser mizra, will feel irrevocably disrespected and tell you to get out and never come back. hes harsh like that. he noticed that i spoke to a girl at another table who didnt tip the expected 15% and approached me afterwards to discuss the issue. but if you are polite, appreciative and eat diligently you are guaranteed a extraordinary experience.
(4)
Jackie M.
I think this place is completely overrated and a tourist trap of sorts. They suck in all the area college students and yuppies to stand in line in Ball Square for an hour to have breakfast!!! The food is good, but it's not THAT good! The place is small and cramped, service staff rushes you, the fact that there is a line of people outside waiting in the cold to come in and eat rushes you as well. I don't know, this just isn't my idea of going out for breakfast, but I guess it works for some...
(2)
Sam C.
There must be no where else to eat breakfast in this neighborhood because it's always packed and the food just isn't that good. Plus the staff aren't very nice and they just want you out asap. However, the self serve beverage idea works for me. You can fill up on coffee as much as you want and when you want. But in the end, the food is not special. The hash browns are basically mashed potatoes with an overwhelming sour cream taste. The veggie omelet was oozing with grease and all the veggies were raw inside.
(2)
Judi V.
I agree with John, the eggs bene could use a facelift (I like mine poached not scorched) BUT.. everything else I've had was good. The chicken salad is great and stuffed with chicken (I hate it when they walk a chicken thru may and try to pass it off.. ick). The stuffed french toast is yummie but will require you to do extra time at the gym to ward off the guilt. As for those No Place Like Homefries what can I say but YUM!! They're mashed potatoes that have been grilled... love em! As for the waitstaff... suffice to say they're characters. I thought it would lose it's appeal when they moved into the bigger space next door and was pleasantly surprised that they didn't! They do delivery in the local area so it's great for a burger and handcut fries when I can't get away from my desk! Don't go on a weekend morning unless you want to have your first cup of coffee standing on the street waiting!!!
(4)
Kristin G.
I wouldn't wait more than 20 mins. The most i ever waited was 15, in the freezing cold. I'll admit that I was complaining, but the food was good.
(4)
Adam W.
This place is amazing. We got the fruit plate and scone thing for breakfast, and it was great. Highly recommend.
(5)
Eli G.
Gotta love it! I can never really decide what to order here because everything is so good. Amazing pancakes, stuffed french toast that is bursting with fruity flavor, Belgian waffles topped with a selection of fresh fruit (including kiwi, mango and papaya) and that's not to mention my favorite item on the menu: the home fries. These home fries are almost like grilled mashed potatoes and are perfect with some Frank's Redhot Sauce. If you don't like being rushed don't go here on the weekend.
(5)
serra s.
Great food but don't ever go saturday morning. We waited in line for like half an hour for take out, and the breakfast was not so good take out unfortunately. Also, the people who run the place know they can do whatever they want because it's popular. I watched them kick some kids out because they had an outside soda when they got to the front of the line and wouldn't throw it away. I rate a lot on service and this place just didnt cut it for me. not worth the stress.
(3)
Rebecca S.
I went here today for my first time. I was intrigued by the reviews - so I had to try it! My friend and I waited about 5 mins outside and then got seated right away! the owner came by and brought us fruit and he was really nice. the home fries were amazing and the french toast was great. self serve coffee was nice. not sure why everyone says the people are so rude. very friendly about making a substitution on what my friend ordered. i will be going back for the home fries!
(4)
Firefly B.
This place rocks pretty hard. It's an institution. It's delicious greatness inside four walls. So what if they want to kick your butt out to the curb as soon as you're downing your last swallow?
(4)
michael m.
yeah, it's not hard to make a good standard breakfast at home. sound bites does have a few unique items on the menu, but if you want to make breakfast at home, do that. i love the food. there are plenty of breakfast joints to choose--shopping around at others made me realize that sound bites actually is head and shoulders above the rest. the staff at sound bites is rude. if you have a stick up your ass you won't like that. if you're like me you appreciate it. you like the feel of the place, you like the food, you understand they want to move as much traffic as possible on the weekends so please order quickly and don't dally over your food, you don't undertip; you'll get treated well. if you don't respect that then you'll probably go away unhappy. recently they have started being a little friendlier. i haven't seen them throw anyone out for months. that makes me sad.
(5)
J B.
There isn't much more to say that hasn't already been said. Yes, this is one of the best places in greater Boston to grab a delicious breakfast. Yes, if you go on a weekend day, you'll almost always wait in a long line. Yes, the owners have been known to be a bit surly. And yeah, those hash browns are to die for. They're sort of like garlic mashed potatoes with a crispy crunchy top. You can't go wrong ordering anything off the menu here, but be sure to make sure you get a side of those taters...mmmm....
(5)
Johanna V.
If you live nearby, this is a fun place to grab brunch on the weekends. It has all the typical breakfast stuff along with a full bar... should you need more than Advil to get up and running. Coffee is self-serve. The wait staff isn't the friendliest, but they get the job done.
(3)
So S.
Great breakfast for good prices. Ohhh man, the omeletes and the hash browns are to die for! and the waffles w/ fresh fruits!! Alot of different omeletes creations which you don't expect to see. Love the one w/ gargonzola, green olives and tomatoes. Can request for eggwhites only (but I don't really get that--whatever.) They just have great breakfast here and the coffee is pretty good. Closes early though at about 3pm and might have to wait for a table---but it is totally worth it!! You have to check it out!!! CASH ONLY.
(5)
Georgia Y.
Sound Bites really is fantastic, and frankly, I appreciate a restaurateur who doesn't tolerate rudeness from his patrons. This place serves great breakfast, and the long line really is worth the wait, though you'll probably be hopping up and down, wishing you could sink your teeth into some tasty breakfast! My top choice is waffles with fruit and whipped cream. The fruit is fresh, the waffles are crispy outside, and soft inside, and the cream is sweet deliciousness. Come here for a no-frills atmosphere and great eats!
(4)
Melissa A.
Ok, so you'll wait in line for a bit...but don't let that drive you away! The kitchen is super quick and they produce one fine breakfast. Cheap and expediant (once you're seated.) I've never had a bad meal at this Somerville joint!
(4)
Brandy S.
Best breakfast in Boston and worst service in Boston. But, the food is so good, you just kind of go with it. The hashbrowns are AMAZING, as are their omelettes and eggs benedict. As everyone says, expect a long wait on the weekends, so try and go really early or later in early afternoon. Don't ask questions, don't ask for anything special, and whatever you do, DON"T meander after you finish eating.
(5)
Jen and Tim S.
The breakfast is certainly tasty, and it's great that you can get a coffee to have while you sit in line. You'd better know what you want though, and you'd better not have any trouble shoving it down. I'd really like to give this place 3.5 stars, but it's not an option. It's really just my personal bias for an enjoyable breakfast, at my own pace, with time to read through the interesting menu choices and make up my mind. If that's what you're looking for - this isn't it.
(3)
Bonnie G.
I had heard so much about this place, I ended up going on rainy weekday all the way to Somerville from JP (cause I could, I guess) and then walking the long mile to the place. It wasn't busy at all and I didn't feel rushed with my companion. I had a hard time choosing between sweet and savoury, but ended up with a goat cheese and apricot stuffed french toast with fruit and their homefries on the side. HOLY DAMN-them fries are more like mashed pataters! So yummy I crave em now. The ambiance is pretty simple-feels more like a lunch deli place in NYC, to be honest. The waiter was nice and not gruff at all. The coffee was damn good and I like the self serve of coffee (is anything more annoying than waiting for that lil ceramic cup to be filled with molten black caffiene?) as well. I definitely wanna come here again, but will take the advice of everyone and avoid the weekend. I like my b-fest easy, not sleazy.
(4)
Todd W.
First, the potential downsides. It's super crowded at times. The tables are cramped. You may feel slightly rushed, being as how you've got around 30-45 min. to eat your meal, before they managers & servers start to hover. But these criticisms certainly do not overpower the fantastic breakfast you're gonna have here. The mountainous bowls of fruit, the serve yourself coffee bar, and the home fries are what makes it all worth it. The Smoked Salmon Bene (benedict) is a great choice. But you can also order their bowl of fruit and call it a day.
(4)
Ben K.
Sounds Bites is one of those places that is difficult to give an honest review of because it's so damned popular. I'm tempted to hold it to the higher standard of legendary restaurants. The ones you show your out-of-town friends. The ones you wait half an hour in line for because the pancakes redefine your idea of pancakes. Judging by those standards, Sounds Bites was disappointing. I came late (late for brunch) on a Saturday, and didn't have to deal with out-the-door lines, so, great, but I still wasn't blown away by anything in the experience. Food was good, but not amazing. Space a bit crowded, but without the intimacy of a smaller restaurant. Coffee good, but not stellar, and coffee bar provided nice options and convenience, but I go out to a restaurant so I don't have to get my own coffee. Taking the "legendary" out of the picture, though, there was nothing really wrong here. The fruit bowl was overflowing with unexpected delights (mango, papaya). I was pleasantly surprised with the options afforded to my 2^3 meal (2x pancake or french toast, 2x eggs, 2x meaty-side). Pancakes were not the expected plain-only, but anything on the menu (and the triple-berries I got were, if anything, over-berried), and expected toast switchable with a pretty solid bagel. I would say my major complaint was that I felt cramped the whole time. The place stretches back fairly far, so natural light -- really pretty important for a good brunch experience -- was sparse, and the inexplicable full-bar (which is, in fact, a full bar, not just a well-stocked liquor cabinet) took up much more room than it really justifies (I guess this place is open for dinner? I've never heard anybody go past lunch, but maybe that's me). It looks like I'm in the minority in that I actually don't have any complaints about the service. Maybe it was because I came a little later than the main rush, but the wait to sit wasn't very long, and I never felt particularly neglected once I was at my table. So, hype aside, pretty solid. But since hype leads to lines, cramped seating, and turnover pressure, maybe try another hole-in-the-wall in the area, and save Sound Bites for off hours.
(3)
Betsy K.
I would give this place a higher star rating for the food but on busy weekend mornings they rush you right out the door. The bottomless self-serve coffee is great and the food is pretty good. However, I went to eat here once with my mom and boyfriend and as we were sitting finishing our coffee someone came over and began cleaning the table around us, pulled the plate out from under me before I finished and actively tried to get us to leave before we were ready. I had enjoyed coming here before that, but it felt rude and pushy to force us out before we were finished even if it was a busy morning.
(2)
Brittany H.
Not bad! Everytime I've been past this place it's been jam packed. So I visited on an off day and it was all right. I felt the food was a little overpriced for what you get, and the service wasn't that great, but it wasn't bad. When we walked in, we waited patiently for a seat. A woman mumbled something at us and gathered some menus. Then glared at us like we were doing something wrong, before she blurted out we could sit anywhere we wanted. They really ought to have a sign or at least a host that speaks clearly. I did like that you were able to get your drink yourself, though it was kind of annoying sitting by the water cooler. I liked fixing my own coffee the way I wanted it, and I was able to sample different flavors and fixings. The menu itself, ridden with typos and grammatical errors, also fails at truly describing the food. The menu said "If you like, you can also have a corn muffin" with my omelet. I didn't ask for it so I surprised when I received one ... with home fries too. The description never said it came with home fries (which are just griddled mashed potatoes -- a little different but taste great) either, so the extra side of toast and bacon I ordered became total overkill for me. A friend ordered the pumpkin pancakes, which were great. Too bad the maple syrup was a little watery. Overall, a great place for brunch -- though I've never been there on a Sunday morning -- definitely worth stopping by. But, if you're used to great diner food at diner prices with friendly diner staff, you may be a little underwhelmed.
(3)
J R.
The self serve coffee / beverage bar is awesome! No waiting for coffee refills, ever. To me, thats worth 4 Stars. The food was average. I've had better Eggs Benedict $7.99 (read: properly cooked) at The Grecian Yearning. Poach an egg properly and I'm a happy camper, thats all. Not-too-much-to-ask. Service / Wait. Remarkably, we had no wait. It was high noon on a Sunday. Although, shortly after us there was a 10-12 person line. Just a note: beautiful women eat breakfast here. I'm-just-sayin.
(3)
Ann G.
I love Sound Bites. I know the new trend is to head over to Ball Square Cafe but I have to remain true to Sound Bites. Here's why: 1. Ample seating. Even on the busiest of days you will not wait long in line. 2. Outdoor seating. I'm a sucker for outdoor seating and love that they have tables outside. I also really enjoy their big windows that they open in the summer time to let the beautiful weather inside the restaurant. 3. Free fruit plate! From the first day I went there I have received a free small plate of fruit about 75% of the time. Amazing! 4. Open morning, noon, and night. Breakfast for dinner anyone? 5. They have excellent nachos! I don't know why or how but they have the best nachos (at least in my opinion). 6. A unique family atmosphere. The people who run the business are brusque but in the best possible way. I love people who can run a business efficiently. I have to say that I don't really need the pleasantries, just get me my food! 7. Quick turn-around. They get my order in and deliver the food to my table promptly. I love Sound Bites and will continue to return. I've been to both Sound Bites and Ball Square Cafe many times and love both, but Sound Bites wins in my mind.
(5)
izzy g.
BEST BREAKFAST EVER. actually. I have never been to a restaurant with the selection and flavor of soundbites. They have a ton of different types of omlettes (they're specials are great), and many of them are vegetrain friendly. The menu is INNOVATIVE. Goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast? banana and mozzarella pancakes? portabella/onion/pepper goat cheese omlettes? mushrooms with boursin cheese omlette? avocado OR asparagus benedicts? i could go on and on...you could never ask for a more awesome selection of breakfast foods. try jimmys morrocan eggs. Also, if you get a bagel (they are average bagels), the garlic and chive cream cheese is SUPER intense. I LOVE IT. full of garlic and chive, its spicy to the tongue. trust me, you will feel like a happy head of garlic (who cares about breath!). Wash it down with fresh squeezed OJ the owners are friendly and they personally bring out free fruit if you are cool enough. I LOVE THIS PLACE
(5)
Sammi N.
There's always a line every weekend for breakfast/brunch, and sure, it's decent with a neverending list of items, but I prefer Ball Sq. Cafe (literally next door) for breakfast and brunch. Sound Bites had some cleanliness issues and has an interior decor of some pub rather than a breakfast joint. They're also opened for dinner, which I've gone too, but nothing spectacular. I had their turkey burger special that night, and it was nothing to rant and yelp about. Now, if they served breakfast for dinner... that's another story.
(3)
Aya S.
Hm, ok, so where to start. I went to Sound Bites this past weekend with a few of my girl friends from college. This was the first time we ate here since they moved over from next door (the space that is now Ball Sqr Cafe-- I've reviewed that place as well). I've gotta say.....it's not the same! I kinda liked the old space where you could observe the grumpy owner yell at every customer. (I've even had the pleasure of seeing him get into a physical fight with a customer!) My friends and I used to come here back in our Tufts days-- hungover, standing in the line that ran down the block in blistering cold, just to get that plate of homefries & perhaps a slice of bacon. The crowded space with the rushed and mean service added charm to that place before. Now, it's just a brunch spot in a regular ol' restaurant with decor that doesn't match Sound Bites. I'd rather go back next door and squeeze myself into one of the little tables...
(2)
Diane H.
They make delicious sunny side up eggs! though i can feel the oil, ahh. Also got the chocolate chip/strawberry pancakes, they were okay. The corn muffin was good, i likeeee! And the ham was good. Great place to get brunch with a group of friends, i wouldn't mind going again, it's chill. I still like my pancakes from ihop though ..
(4)
Connor F.
My personal favorite is the eggs benedict with the hollandaise on the side, but really anything is a good choice as long as it comes with homefries. Potatoes never tasted so good.
(5)
Julia C.
AMAZING. i go here a couple of times a month for breakfast on weekends, and i have yet to order anything that i did not like. i recommend eggs benedict, smoked salmon omelette, and their freshly squeezed orange juice. the wait can be a bit long, but rest assured that the food will be worth it!
(5)
Andrew K.
This place has been voted Boston's best breakfast places and it did not disappoint. There is a full bar and now it is open for dinner but I only tried the breakfast here and I really liked it. The drinks are all self serve and there is a couple of coffee and tea options and you pay once for all you can drink. I ordered the lamb and eggs which was really good and I also tried the fruit bowl which came with fresh fruit and yogurt. My friend ordered the banana pancakes which were also really good. They are known for their pancakes so if you go there, I would suggest you try it because it is really good. My dish also came with potato hash which was so good. I hear there is a really long wait especially on weekends but if you come on the weekdays, it should be fine.
(4)
Linda M.
.... another AMAZING breakfast! What a way to ring in the New Year. Can't get enough of the French Toast, Carmelized Bananas & Whip Cream- Nom, Nom, Nom. It's been a year since I first tried this place, Yassar and his crew have become like my extended family. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YASSAR & HIS WONDERFUL STAFF Xo
(5)
Layla P.
Let me tell you how hard it was to walk by Ball Square Cafe and go into Sound Bites: PAINFUL. But I thought I would not be a true yelp contributor if I did not try a brunch place so within my reach since I go to Ball Square so often now. Well, HUGE disappointment. The french toast was bad - not just not good, but BAD. The challah french toast with hints of orange and cinnamon looked and sounded so promising but the bread was tough, dry, stale, tasted like a freezer - it was not savory delicious french toast. The stuffed french toast had a good cream cheese and strawberry filling (come on, I can mix cheese and jam together) but the bread here was the same problem - dry, didn't taste like anything, totally bare in some spots. I must say I'm glad I tried it so I know I'm not missing anything when I walk straight into Ball Square from now on. Rivalry between Sound Bites and Ball Square? Let me tell you something, there is no rivalry. It's dead. Ball Square is better PERIOD. The service is better, the management is better, the ambiance is better, the bathroom is better, and most importantly, of course, the food is infinitely better. If you are forced by some unknowing person to go to Sound Bites after all, get the chocolate-coconut pancakes, those were good. And beware that the orange juice, which you get up and serve to yourself, is $4 - $4 for OJ?! I can get a whole carton for less than that!
(2)
John C.
i've NEVER had to wait in line for sound bites.. the place is just a lot larger than ball square cafe.. despite what people say, the food is EXACTLY the same. i generally chose sound bites due to the shorter line.. plus i know the manager outside of soundbites (really nice guy) and it's nice to have a plate of fruit thrown at ya here and there (they do this for pretty much everyone). overall, the service is great, the food is also pretty good for breakfast food.. slightly fancier than diner food but just as greasy delicious when you want it to be. coffee and juice is self serve, which i actually, love.. when you're hungover the last thing you want is to wait for coffee.. take a table and get your own cup, my style. if the eggs benedict was better i'de give it 5 stars... i'm about 2 miles away and the walk is always worth it when the weather allows.
Just discovered this recently via one of my friends. I have been looking for a casual breakfast place ever since moving to Boston, and here it is. It reminds me a lot of the cafes and breakfast places back home in NH, which is nice. It's very no frills, casual dining experience, with free refills on coffee and delicious menu selection. I would highly recommend it. It's also only a 15 minute walk from my apartment which is a nice touch :)
(4)
E C.
The coffee is weak, the food largely flavorless, and the "home fries" are pure evil. You can do better. I do like the tables out front if you can get them.
(2)
M J.
I go here often and while I love the staff (always friendly and always recognize me), I have found that this place is inconsistent, depending on which dish you order. But when it's good, it's very good. I had been going with the eggs benedict for a while and the spinach was slimy, the poached eggs old, and the muffins greasy. In addition, the fruit was a bit mealy. So I returned to my old standby- the golden grill. It was fanastic- the muffin was just crispy enough and the eggs (over easy) were done perfectly. Furthermore, the canadian bacon was chewy and a bit browned but not burnt. I think if you stick to the brunch basics instead of trying to try all the interesting sounding and unusual options on the menu, you will be "golden."
(4)
Corydon S.
When it comes to breakfast I prefer something hearty and simple, which usually means poached eggs and strong black coffee. I mainly order the eggs benedict or a waffle. I tend to avoid this place on the weekend, but during the week I like to come here with a friend. They have a large full bar, if you want to drink. I don't come here all the time, but when I do I enjoy this place.
(4)
Marie C.
Came here this past weekend with my roommate. I've been hearing about Sound Bites since before I moved to Davis, and I'd been meaning to go for a while. Tip: Like Renee's, this place is going to have a line outside, but that doesn't mean you need to stand in it like a sheep. Go in and ask! We were seated right away, even at 10am on Sunday. The place was definitely busy, and the noise level was a little overwhelming, but we still had a good time. There's a lot to choose from on the menu, I went with the Strawberry & Ricotta stuffed french toast. (side note: "ricotta" does not rhyme with "terracotta" folks!) The french toast was really good, I didn't think it was bland or dry as some have said. Maybe I got a good batch? My roommate had eggs, bacon & homefries. The homefries are kind of like, fried mashed potatoes, but they were really good. Anyway, give Sound Bites a shot if you haven't already. Don't be intimidated by tales of long lines. If you're looking for a quiet/relaxing brunch though, you might want to go somewhere else.
(4)
Lauren H.
I honestly had to stop and try and remember if I went to Sound Bites or Ball Square Cafe yesterday... but it was definitely Sound Bites. They are literally right next door to each other, and apparently have the same menu, so we chose the one with the shortest wait. This place is pretty cute. Self Service coffee bar is pretty awesome. They have several different types of coffee and "add-ins". The home fries are like fried mashed potatoes with the perfect amount of garlic. You should definitely order some if your meal doesn't come with them. Pancakes live up to the hype. They are the best I've had in Boston. I got the triple berry, and didn't even need syrup. Everything else I had was so-so. Eggs were a bit dry. Hollandaise sauce was a little powdery. Bacon was, well, bacon. The wait wasn't too bad for a Saturday morning. About eight different people helped us, so service is alright, but not incredibly consistent. All in all, pretty good place to have breakfast.
(3)
R.A. C.
extremely happy for this place to have been able to expand. I have been in and out of the powderhuiose area since 2001, and have been going to soudn bites intermittenedly since that time. when they were holed up in the cramped quarters beside their new place, they were rocking...lines 25 people long out of their door. All manner of diners - tufts brats, townies, yuppies; a beautiful melting pot replete with some of the best eggs benedict that i've ever had. In august when i returned after a 3 year lapse in good sunday brunch food, their new digs accomodate the now seated 50 odd people on a sunday. their prices have jumped a bit, but its still a damn good eggs benie. cheers sound bites
(3)
Erhardt G.
Ate Saturday Brunch here, and only had to wait about 15 minutes in line outside to be seated around 12:30pm. Great list of affordable options from the full breakfast and breakfast special menus. The Scone Plate offered every component you could possibly hope for from a breakfast, with great flavoring (dill and cheddar on the eggs). This place is definitely worth checking out for a lot of food for a good price and quick turnaround of the food after ordering. Can't speak to Sound Bites as more than a breakfast joint, but would return again as a less expensive but still filling alternative to the Friendly Toast.
(4)
Lina G.
Ok, this is the kinda place that starts off great, gets a fabulous reputation, then they start getting a little lazy and the food, service and everything else ends up suffering....a little like Zaftigs in Coolidge Corner, know them? They were amazing 6 years ago but now, FORGET IT, would not go back, so not worth it. Anyway, we went on a Tuesday morning so we wouldn't have to wait 2 hours for a table. We got seated right away by some guy that was wearing mirrored shades (??). Uh, ok, we're indoors, it's cloudy out and you're wearing a sous chef's uniform. I mean, I could totally see my reflection in his face...maybe he does that so the customers can check if they have anything in their teeth post-meal, I don't know. My hubby ordered the Moroccan eggs and I got the french toast with pears and goat cheese. I was expecting some amazing dish but I swear to you it tasted like nail polish remover (not that I've ever had nail polish remover but that was the scent stuck in my nose while I was eating it). I thought, oh shit I'm being poisoned. We finished and paid, the guy who takes the order tried to jip me 5 bucks and I was like, excuse me? Where's my money? He was apologetic for his mistake and blamed it on being busy. I looked around and saw 3 tables with people, one of them being some of the staff. I brushed it off and still left him a nice tip because that's how I roll.
(3)
Katia M.
I kept hearing about this place, from right after I moved on a random listing, to on the Phantom, my weekend guilty pleasure food orgy-a-thon TV preference. Finally, boyfriend in tow, I made the walk. From Porter. He was hung over, I wasn't, so after the twenty-plus minute death march to Broadway, I felt bad and, seeing the line (it was, after all, 10:30am on Mother's Day), offered to pay. I had some kind of Moroccan egg dish, he went for eggs and grilled corn muffins. My meal didn't come with the famous home fries, so I ordered a side of them for good measure. We were a bit confounded by the coffee service, but all was forgiven when I went over to grab us a couple cups and noted that, yes, they have soy milk! And honey! And a whole lotta kinds of hot sauce just waiting for me to taste. Two cups of coffee and one bottle of "the green stuff," I dodged patrons and waiters and was back at the bar. The garlic-mashed-potatoes as home fries were a good change up from what I am used to, and the food came fast and was well portioned, meaning there were mounds of eggs and veggies on my plate. Bathrooms were clean, check came quickly (I hate lingering for a check), and breakfast was accomplished in a splendid fashion. The walk back seemed a lot shorter, and the hangover was effectively slain.
(4)
Jocelyn G.
Went to Sound Bites on the 4th of July because the line was almost non-existent. Took about 10 minutes to get a table and then in the next half hour we had our order taken, delivered, and the bill arrived. Nothing like snappy service. The food isn't anything too spectacular, its a fine place for breakfast food. The owner didn't freak out when someone's phone rang, he actually started trying to identify which brand it was. Overall, not too bad.
(3)
Neera J.
Ok, this place is not high class, people. I lived down the street for about two years, and there is a reason I go back every time I am in Boston, no matter how far away I am staying. The wait may be long, the space cramped and only relatively clean, the service smarmy, brisk, or jovial depending on their mood, but this all adds to the charm. As people have mentioned, you'll be waiting a while if you come with a big group on the weekend. Thats a given. They will not let you have a leisurely brunch. In fact, I once saw the owner yell at someone who was waiting for chatting with someone who was eating. This is how they do business: high turnover, no messing around. This also means your food comes fast, hot, and so does your check. The waitstaff other than the owner is by and large incredibly sweet. A lot of them don't speak very much English, so they may come off as rude, but give them a chance. They are working very hard and focused for their checks, and a smile goes a long way with them. So on to the food. The coffee is great and bottomless. I never tried it, but my dad still pontificates about their lattes. He is VERY specific about his lattes. This was a triumph. Now the other things.... my personal favorite is the multi-grain waffle with fruit, no whipped cream, real maple syrup (it costs extra, but I'm a snob) with a side of turkey sausage and (no place like) home fries. The waffles are incredibly delicious, and the fruit is amazing. A huge variety from watermelon and mango to kiwi, strawberry and papaya. All ripe and delicious. The sausage is patties (the only way i'll eat it) and is super yummy. The home fries are amazing... these aren't your average home fries, its more like delectible grilled mashed potatoes. I add hot sauce to them. droolz. This meal will happily fill me for most of the day. I also love their breakfast sandwiches (no egg for me, no problem). People love their pancakes, and I say they're just okay. Except for one time, when I was craving peanutbutter pancakes - not on the menu. Preface to say, I went there a lot so the owner recognized me. For those of you in the know, hes not big on making substitutions, but if you ask real nice, he is begrudgingly willing. Well this day was a good day, because he put in a special order, and it was AMAZING. hot melty peanutbutter and bananas in pancakes... yummmm. He came over and tried some, loved it, but said he couldn't put it on the menu because it took too long to cook. I hold this experience close to my heart as it was the day I knew Sound Bites was one of the best places on earth. My advice: Go. If you don't like it, don't go back. They don't need you. If you like it, you will cherish this Somerville treasure for the rest of your life.
(5)
Erica E.
I hadn't been to Sound Bites since they renovated and I was pleased to find the "new" Sound Bites is much more spacious. Despite the long line the wait was short. Service was a bit short, but it was also really busy. The serve yourself drink service located at the back was a bit awkward, but the fresh-squeezed orange juice was worth it! I ordered the french toast which itself wasn't anything too exciting, but it was topped with enough fresh fruit (beyond your usual strawberries and bananas...mango, melon, etc too!) to please me and the five others I was dining with. I'd go again.
(4)
A L.
Just had my last meal from Soundbites... As a frequent customer for the past few years, I can say that the customer service has declined dramatically. I was pretty appalled when they offered absolutely no insight nor apology for the extra items they tacked onto our bill. And please - I've been there at peak brunch time more times than I can remember and we've NEVER been told multiple credit cards couldn't be accepted. Word to the wise - pay attention to your bill, they have a habit of illegibly scribbling additional charges on there hoping they'll go unnoticed. And shame on you, Soundbites...way to lose some loyal customers. UPDATE: Yassir's response 10/18/12: "Please , let's talk about that matter , If we did that mistake you will get what ever you like with big appology , you are hurting our business , I'm sure you are a nice guy and you don't like to do it for us , you said you been a loyal costumer , please stay loyal , if it happened I assure you it was a mistake , I wish you talked to me before you left, and yes we do take multiple credit card too , please right me back" My response to Yassir 10/23/12: "Clarification: I DID try to "talk about that matter." Instead of explaining mysterious charges on bill or rewriting it so it was legible, u just repeated "it's right, it's right" &hurried us out the door &refused to let us pay w/ multiple cards. U didn't care until this Yelp post. &I can assure u, I am a nice "guy" (a nice woman, actually) I believe in local business patronage &was a loyal customer but over the past few months ur service has been appalling. Instead of being reactive &trying to woo former customers back w/ promises of free stuff, be proactive &address the issues. Make it easier for patrons to read ur receipts, clearly mark tip&tax amounts, try to focus on servicing the customers sitting down rather than hurrying them out the door to bring in new ones. I can't say I won't ever eat at Soundbites again, but u can bet I'll take my business (& my friends' business) elsewhere until I have a little more faith that I won't have such a poor experience at Soundbites again."
(1)
Matt C.
I'm frankly shocked by the people reviewing this place, its people like this that give yelp a bad name. The fact that this place has below a 4 star average is a travesty. I love breakfast, and seek it out often, but my ability to make eggs is far below subpar. Thus, I go to alot of breakfast places. Sound Bites is far and away by favorite breakfast place. Everything I have ever eaten here has been terrific. The omelets are fluffy, the pancakes perfect (if not a bit small compared to some places), the home fries mashed and to die for. The prices are reasonable, seeing as coffee is unlimited (its not high end but it is certainly enjoyable) and the Omelets in the $7-8 range. As for the majority of complaints on this page, first off the lines are long because people love this place (for a reason I might add). If you really detest lines so much as to base your review on them, go to Bickfords or something, because this place will ALWAYS be busy on a sunday. And for the wait staff, yes they are going to be rushed, its busy if you haven't noticed. I have never, in the years I have been coming here, had a rude host, just busy ones that couldn't go through the "oh how are you, I'm Melinda" motions. Give them a break I love sound bites, and I'm confident you would too. Be prepared to wait in line (unless you show up on a weekday) and deal with people complaining in that line (I find it funny that the people that won't stop bitching consistently come back), but once you get in it's fast and delicious.
(5)
Krystle P.
I have always heard such great things about this brunch place. I drive by it and see long lines of people waiting outside the front door (always a sign of good food). So I have now gone to it twice and find myself disappointed both times with the outcome of the food. First time I thought maybe it was a mistake, my eggs were too runny for an omelet but I was willing to give it a second try. The second time I ordered Apple Cinnamon Pancakes and I was hoping to have apples and cinnamon in my pancakes instead of one apple slice per huge pancake and cinnamon dumped on pancakes after being cooked. The Orange juice is overpriced as well. I will bring my guests elsewhere next time.
(2)
Matt S.
ive spent too much time here hung over to not give this 5 stars
(5)
Anthony R.
I was here this past weekend for brunch and was underwhelmed -- the last time I'd come here it was early early on a Sunday morning before the crowds had arrived and that was a much better experience. The food is definitely solid breakfast food -- the omelettes are good, the pancakes and french toast are tasty. I'm not 100% sold on the lazily and hastily fried mash potatoes that they pass off as hash browns, but of course I have eaten all of them every time I've been. That said, I'm not convinced it's worth waiting in line for -- I just don't think it's that special. I'd take a pass next time and head to Supreme Kitchen, Alfresco, or just try to be less lazy and cook breakfast at home. I'll still have to get coffee and OJ myself but nobody will hover over my table as I'm finishing to get me out the door.
(3)
Greg L.
This place came highly recommended so we went for Sunday breakfast. It was extremely busy but my fiance and I were seated right away. Coffee is fantastic. You can tell if its a good breakfast place if they serve good coffee; nice and strong. Breakfast, even better. I got the avocado and tomato eggs Benedict. This unique twist had huge slices of avocado and tomato with a very tangy hollandaise sauce, a perfect combination. The meal was so filling, you dont have to get anything else. Service was also great. I dont expect to be wowed by the waitstaff at a breakfast place. All I want is to get my order right, deliver it quickly, and pay the check fast. They did all three perfectly. Overall a great place. This is going to be in my regular breakfast rotation.
(4)
Rana J.
My boyfriend just moved to Ball Square, and although we had ventured out there for brunch at sound bites many times, it wasn't until our late nights of house fixer-upping that we discovered dinner at Sound Bites. The Mediterranean plates are huge and full of grilled chicken, salad, and your choice of 2 sides - they're a healthy and delicious alternative to many area options. The service was extraordinary - the complimentary fruit plate was a treat with mango and kiwi and strawberries and more. Go there for dinner when you're too lazy to cook. The draft beer left something to be desired - sort of flat/old tasting.
(4)
Wendy H.
Best American style breakfast/brunch restaurants in Cambridge. 5 stars for the: 1. Fresh fruit pancakes (My all time favorite is the chocolate and strawberries) 2. Eggs- super fluffy and light! 3. Homefries - aka mash potatoes 4. Price 5. Huge selection of dishes to choose from!
(5)
Nicole J.
Food: The bomb! Eggs Benedict is great, as are their fresh, in season fruit plates and great coffee station. Pancakes are good, not the best I've ever had. I saw a sign that stated this place was voted best pancakes, which I disagree. Service: Fast Wait: LONG! A huge Taking off one star, even though I think this place deserves 5 stars based on food and service.
(4)
Alex G.
It's a frequent go to. Great menu, fast service, quality food. Sometimes the crowds are difficult (particularly on weekends) and quality suffers, but for the most part Soundbites is a great breakfast spot.
(4)
Michael W.
My sister suggested we try this place out. So when I came to visit her we went. Great breakfast menu with a wide variety of classic items... Huge smoked salmon egg Benedict was great.... I was fortunate to get a shirt from the owner who is a very personable and always moving around the restaurant.
(4)
Ess P.
Great food. The french toast is a must! The home fries are different, they are more kind mashed potatoes but they're still yummy. Personally, customer service has always been great for me, I've even received free fruit bowls a few times :). No one has ever rushed me out of the door and I've been here plenty of times. Come here on a weekday if you want the best seats/no waiting.
(4)
Brian M.
Soundbites is decent enough overall, subject to the following caveats: It's a bad, bad idea if you have a hangover; it's cramped, you have to schlep up and get your own damn coffee, and at 9:45 on a Saturday morning it's full of people with their wretched kids. Leave little Ethan and Kaya at home next time, huh? The food tastes very good, esp the homefries but is a bit on the oily side for me. Good, original variety of omelette options, which is always cool. There also tend to be a lot of students, but at that hour they're docile enough. The service was pretty standard for a busy breakfast place.
(3)
Petra P.
To paraphrase from another reviewer: this is my idea of breakfast heaven. All their specials are amazing -- I particularly like the eggs bene and the boursin + mushroom omelet. Both of these dishes are amazing, fresh, and very tasty -- the combination of flavors to me seems to personify what a good "New York style" breakfast/brunch is all about. The refillable coffee (in Soundbites mugs) is great (and a lot of fun to pick your own mug, etc.). My boyfriend and I eat here quite often on the weekends... We try to beat the rush by arriving before 10 am if we can manage to peel out of bed. I think the service is rushed and, yes, sometimes the owner can be grumpy, but come here often enough and you are treated like a regular and you get used to the rush. In any case, we come here for the food (OHHH THE HOMEFRIES), and I am kind of glad that the people who usually linger for hours over toast and coffee feel like they should get going. So I'd give them an extra star for that service alone :) And maybe another star for the grilled blueberry muffin.... So 7 stars all in all, if you lost count.
(5)
Rebecca R.
Sound Bites and I are a perfect breakfast/brunch match. If you're looking for a great Saturday or Sunday morning hangover reducer, I cannot recommend Sound Bites enough. I'm almost personally offended at the lack of five star ratings for this place. Yes, you will most likely wait in line for your meal. However, the wait staff are super trained in getting parties in the door. I have never waited more than 15 minutes for a table, even on the busiest of mornings. And you are allowed to run into the restaurant to grab a make-your-own coffee as you wait. Yay! Most importantly, Sound Bites has the BEST breakfast food in the surrounding Somerville area, hands-down. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Tomato Bene, or Eggs Benedict on steroids. I normally don't love tomatoes, but SB's are always fresh and ripe, as is the avacado. The hollandaise sauce is delicious, flavorful without being overbearing. All of the egg dishes come with SB's "There's No Place Like Homefries." I crave these potatoes like a pregnant woman. Not your typical homefries, SB seems to take a generous portion of mashed potatoes and turn them into a breakfast delight. Love at first bite. Other favorite orders of mine include the Boston's Best Blue (a cheese omelette with the most delicious toasted blueberry muffin you have ever tasted), the Fresh Pear & Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast, and the Breakfast Burrito. The Fruit Bowl is ah-mazing, filled with typical fruits (banana, apple, melon) but also garnished with other in-season treats like mango, paypaya, and kiwi. For a semi-inflated price, you can get some of the best fresh-squeezed orange juice ever. Beware, though, it does cost $4. Another bonus: Once you're in, you're in. Sound Bites staff definitely value returning customers. I'm always greeted warmly and thanked for coming back. If you are forced to wait, particularly if the weather is cold or rainy, SB will make it up to you in some way, usually with a complimentary plate of ridiculously fresh fruit. Staff do get you in and out rather quickly, but I see the speedy turnaround as the mark of a well-oiled machine. If you're looking for a quiet place to sit for five hours and do your Sunday morning crossword, it may be better to try Starbucks. For anyone else looking for some good eats at a great value, Sound Bites is your place.
(5)
Jordan A.
I ate here for the first time today. I had the Spinach Eggs Benedict. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the hollandaise sauce was amazing. The bloody mary was eh, not that great. Overall, a great brunch! A little pricey, but probably worth it for the great food. (over $20 / person for coffee, bloody mary, and meal.)
(4)
Gaven C.
Great breakfast food for great prices. Parking situation needs help.
(4)
Ryan C.
Alright, Sound Bites, WTF. If it says "home fries" on the menu, and I order it, I really want it to come with home fries. Mashed potatoes are not home fries. In fact, it really spoils my breakfast when you serve me a breakfast bowl with the eggs and peppers and avocado heaped on top of mashed potatoes instead of home fries. I mean, seriously, who eats mashed potatoes with eggs and avocado? Seriously.
I wish I could give it 2.5 stars but since I was required to choose, 2 stars felt more right. I have not been brave enough to attempt their Sunday brunch but I found myself craving a burger while in the area so gave their non-breakfast food a try on a cold Saturday at 4ish. I've wanted to check this place out for a while and finally ventured in to the famed Sound Bites. I was surprised how small it is! Which now explains the crazy long lines on weekends! I was dying for a good, juicy, flavorful burger and also had a chili craving so I ordered the the chili burger with cheese and onions. Atmosphere: I guess this was the cleaning up before dinner/counting money/shooting the shit time of the restaurant because there was a lot of all of those things going on so I almost felt like I was intruding on their dinner prep but they had to do it and I chose a weird time to go so I couldn't get too bent out of shape. But the smell of cleaning products and personal (loud) conversations made me want to eat fast and leave. The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and they even gave me a free little plate of fruit while i waited. The hand-cut fries were AMAZING!! definitely the best part of the meal. I ordered the burger medium because "well done" in this town seems to equal a dry hockey puck. Somehow they managed to keep the inside pink but the outside was almost burnt and very crunchy and they don't add any flavor (salt, pepper) to their burgers so it was very bland, and topped with very bland chili. I had to add salt, ketchup AND barbecue sauce just to get a little bit of flavor. It was huge and had good intentions but just didn't do it for me (wow, that can be misconstrued! lol) So no burgers there for me again but I will give the brunch a try some day.
(2)
Amber H.
So, I am not a big breakfast lover. But I crave the home fries from here practically on a daily basis. Seriously, it's unhealthy how much I love them. They are like perfectly seasoned fried mashed potatoes. These are a tie for my love of Waffle House hash browns. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm from Georgia. Enough said. So, back to Sound Bites. There's a long wait on the weekend sometimes but to me it's worth it. The people there are always friendly although sometimes rushing around quite a bit. You can get your own drink whenever you want to, the portions are good for the price and the tomato asparagus eggs benedict are also super yummy! So, definitely give this place a try. And get the large fruit bowl- it' well worth the 5 bucks!
(5)
Christina Z.
Ball square, you're in luck for nightlife. This fantastic albeit intimidatingly crowded breakfast joint brings in Greg for their dinner and late night bartender and he is truly an artist. His signature cocktails are masterpieces and that perfect blend between tasty and bang for your buck. Draft beer list contains Boston staples as well as new favorites - always a few BBCs and other such seasonal delights. Hit or miss for crowds, but even when its slammed you'll be welcomed like an old friend. I've yet to have anything on the dinner menu I've been disappointed in, and portions are big. Overall, couldn't be more pleased to be a regular - great hidden gem!
(5)
Kelly G.
Sound Bites is one of my favorite Somerville brunch places. If you're in a small group-- sit at the bar. The owner is often mixing and sometimes over mixing drinks and I usually end up with a shot or two of margarita and some bloody mary before the meal is through. Lately, I judge brunch places by their fruit plate. I like toast, eggs, and a big pile of fruit for breakies...and I know that I'm not the only one. Sound Bites makes a great fruit plate...and their eggs aren't greasy, and they're not stingy with the butter on the toast. So awesome in my books! I like the help yourself beverages station, also. Unlimited refill coffee, tea, and the powdered cocoa. They also have a great juice selection. There is often a wait, but the staff is pretty jolly about it-- and you can go get your buzz on while you wait in line due to aforesaid coffee station..which is pretty nice. Go Sound Bites. The best days to go are when it's raining because then people are less willing to wait in line and the wait is shorter. But on a nice Saturday or Sunday morning, be ready to stand around.
(5)
Allison S.
Sound Bites has some decent breakfast food - and a great bar! I loved that I was able to get a mimosa before my breakfast. I also didn't mind having to serve myself my own drinks. It was like having an endless cup of coffee, which was nice. However, the service was terrible. TERRIBLE. Although I was lucky enough not to have to wait in line when I went, over an hour had passed between the time that I ordered and the time I actually received my food. When I asked if our food was ever put into the kitchen, the staff was kind of rude and curt. I know that working in a kitchen or breakfast place isn't the best job in the world, but at least try to be nice. I hate to admit this, but I was actually a little drunk after 1 mimosa at 1pm on a Saturday.
(3)
L H.
These guys are fantastic. WE are regulars and they always give us free fruit to take home. Last week they gave us a free muffin with our meal! Food is awesome, fresh and speedy. You can eat healthy or go crazy. We choose this over Ball Square because it's more spacious and has outdoor seating. We'll miss this place when we move.
(5)
Leslie S.
Beats Ball Square Breakfast hands down!
(4)
Cara P.
REMEMBER THE SOUP EPISODE OF SEINFELD If you come here, you will just have to accept that you will get treated like crap especially since the food is really that good They don't care what you think, because yeah the food is awesome.....honestly, part of the reason I come here is become I expect their wait staff and owner to be, well rude. Just like a bad relationship, I keep coming back for more. One move wrong and your sweet ass is back on the side walk with everyone else who has been standing there for an hour Just stand in line, let the people who spot their ex from high school that they haven't spoke to in 15 years, cut you in line.... deal with it, get your coffee, sit down, try and find someone who can place your order.......... once you see someone just scream your order as loud as you can. (A tip. pick out what you want to eat by the time you are seated. DON'T worry. You'll have time.) You can even write it down on a piece of paper and shoot a paper airplane their way. It will move things along. Only chat while you are in line or are waiting for your food. Once your food comes..it's all business. No time to chat. It's all about the turn over baby! When you are done, just throw your credit card at the waitresses face or flag down the owners son ...you'll know who he is.......he's the one full of a life time of aggression against his dad for A) making him deal with this dumb ass bitchy crowd on his weekends B) Knowing exactly what he is in for when he is older and takes the business over Once you get his attention just hand over your cash. By the time he has figured out what the hell is going on and if you gave the correct amount or not, you are already running out of there. The burn from the death glares of the next people in line waiting to be seated proves to be too much to handle. This is all part of the craptastic experience you will have at Sound bites, which by the way does not revolve around music or records....Oh and part of the fun is waiting to see if you are actually selected to receive their infamous fruit bowl! We put money on it. Get the Fig Stuffed French Toast. Yummers. Just eat it FAST!
(3)
Emily F.
Service is fast, but quality suffers tremendously. By the way, Wonder Waffles are wack, I wonder why it doesn't come with friut like it says; they should change "fruit" to "half slice of orange" *(said orange may not actually be orange). My portabella, goat cheese, egg white omlett, was good except I couldn't find the eggs amidts the plate of mushrooms. Although the food was over-priced, nothing topped the cashier "accidentially" charging $38 rather than the $28 bill. In short, I'm not vouching for this place.
(2)
Jesse M.
I would like to upgrade this rating to a 5 stars because the owner got in a fight with the owner of the breakfast spot next door, Ball Square Cafe. I can't wait to go back to Soundbites for some KICKASS breakfast.
(5)
JP F.
I pretty much agree with the people who say the service is ghastly, and that kills the experience. The owner is a jerk and I will never give him money again. However, I would like to point out that the people who like this place are those so-called "foodies" who are easily impressed by such pedestrian dishes as fig stuffed french toast or salmon eggs benedict. They think that getting screamed at by this guy is an exotic experience because they've never experienced any hardship in their boring suburban existence. These are the same types of people who have Iron Chef/Top Chef "cook-offs" but fail to grasp the essence of a truly great dining experience, and yes, service plays a big part. You won't see any 3-star Michelin restaurants with rude servers.
(1)
Jennifer S.
Love the layout of this place, and was really great when they started having dance parties on Saturday nights. Cover is reasonable, and this place gets pretty packed with people! The bartender was really nice, the drinks are reasonable, and I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Nathan P.
3.5 stars. This is a solid breakfast place. Not fantastic, but it does not disappoint. The breakfast burrito is muy delicioso in particular. Be advised, however, their homefires are much closer to hash browns. They're sort of like griddled mashed potatoes. Still quite good, but c'mon folks, there is a difference.
(4)
Lauren B.
I always get anxious when it's cold, there's a line out the door and I am consumed with hunger. This is escalated when it's a Sunday morning and I am half asleep. It adds insult to injury when I gaze into a restaurant and see people inside sipping out of coffee cups and devouring stacks of pancakes. Luckily, on this occasion, the line at Sound Bites moved quickly and we were only outside for a couple of minutes before we were seated at the bar. I hadn't been in here since it expanded. It's more upscale, but still the same premise: get your own drinks, enjoy your food (out in minutes!), eat very fast and please come back next week. Even though they kept coming around to clear my plate, I had enough time to enjoy my spinach and veggie omelet with home fries (more like mashed potatoes) and toast. Which is really what brunch is about.
(3)
Deanna C.
This was my first time eating dinner at Sound Bites now that they have expanded to the restaurant next door and moved beyond brunch. OK menu, OK lamb kebobs, solid chicken tenders (but how can you really botch frozen chicken in a deep fryer?), the sweetest waitress, but kinda odd stench of dirty mop or something. Wasn't great, wasn't bad...fine for my week night sick-of-cooking-for-one lull. The flat screens were a plus, though, as well as their smallish selection of draft beers. It wasn't crowded at all, but what neighborhood place is on a Wednesday night?
(3)
Olivia L.
Pros: French toast (all varieties) and waffles, flavored coffees, and fantastic sides. Cons: Eggs benedict (all kinds), the wait, and be prepared to share your table with other people. This used to be a Mexican restaurant, the kind with a biiiig bar, and they haven't really changed the decor. The owner isn't as gruff as she seems (ask her about the trip she won to Las Vegas for the SuperBowl, and she remembers regulars), but she doesn't keep a list for tables, just a line of people out the door. So if it's raining, and people are pushing to get in out of the wet, she usually remembers who came in when, but you might have to remind some of your fellow patrons (almost all uniformly college/grad students, or about that age) what constitutes common courtesy outside of the greater Boston area. On the food: If it's dipped in egg and put on a griddle, get it. The french toast, the stuffed french toast (try the goat cheese and pear), and the challah french toast are the best I've ever had. Period. The waffles are good too. I had one of the eggs benedict on a whim the first time I came here, and I would never get them again -- bad hollandaise + cold english muffin = yuck. All beverages (except the alcohol) are self-serve, which is a little hectic. But if you like your coffee half Snickerdoodle (cinnamon hazelnut) and half decaf the way I do, it works out. You can also get coffee as you're waiting -- they'll add it to your table when you sit down. Speaking of tables -- I've been here probably 10 times in a party of 2, and only had my own table once. Most times, we're at the bar, or at a shared table with other groups of 2 or 3.
(3)
Meredith K.
I have been eating at Sound Bites for many years (maybe 8 or so?). There is ALWAYS a line, but the good thing is - it moves quickly. The bad thing is - when you do finally get to sit down - they take your order basically the second your butt hits the chair, they bring the check at the same time they put the food down for you, and they pour your coffee in a to-go cup when you finish your food. I'm not kidding. It's like ya thanks for eating here, but now get the hell out! Now that I know this - I don't even bother to put my self service coffee in a mug - I skip that step and go straight to the to-go cup. Food is decent. It's standard breakfast fare. Homefries are tasty and the french toast is pretty good (although not as good as S&S's french toast). Now that they have moved to the larger location seating isn't quite so tight anymore - which is good. I came here for dinner one night (they are now open for dinner) and it was completely awful. It was barely edible. Even my bf who is far less picky than me hated it. So I do NOT recommend this place for dinner, only brunch. The biggest negative for me about this place is the ongoing war between this owner and the guy that owns ball square breakfast. I don't give a flying hoot you guys hate each other! KEEP IT TO YOURSELVES!! No need to bring your customers into your heated, stupid, childish argument - be professional! Bitching to customers about how the other guy is this and that - is just rude and obnoxious. In fact I got so sick of listening to either owner I haven't eaten at either location in a few months hoping the stupid feud will blow over.
(3)
Anna W.
I've been going to this place forever... ever since it was a cramped little 10-table restaurant with wooden chairs and a breakfast-Nazi staff that tried to rush you in and out as quickly as possible. If I had to give a rating based on that place, it probably wouldn't be as high. Standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for a half hour for a table on a weekend is not my idea of fun. Neither is being seated with complete strangers. However, ever since Sound Bites took over the former Guapo's next door and expanded, they have managed to grossly improve the interior without sacrificing speed of service or quality of food. Seriously, light years better than what they used to be! I've only ever had breakfast food here. Even if I come here after what can normally be deemed "breakfast hours", I will still order breakfast. You'd have to be an idiot to order anything else. The new digs is freshly painted, has nicer tables, and an ACTUAL BAR! I like the self-serve beverage system. It totally works for me. The "There's No Place Like Home" Fries are to-die-for! It is like mashed potatoes with a hard outside... a little hard to describe. You just have to try it, I guess. Personally, I think it's pretty hard to mess up breakfast food... hell, even I can cook up some eggs and pancakes if I had to. But, given the choice, I'd always pick Sound Bites over any other option! :-)
(5)
Laura K.
I have gotten several friends hooked on this place. I used to drive from Quincy to come here with out of town guests. It can get a bit chaotic trying to grab your own coffee/drinks in the back, and the wait can be a deterrent, but the staff is wonderful, the food is the best breakfast food I've had since moving to Massachusetts from New York (where diner breakfasts take the cake!). The Fresh Fruit Bowl is to DIE FOR is you like fruit (I don't know how they get their fruit to be that rip and delicious every time). I once mentioned this to the owner, who gave me extra fruit in a to-go container to take home. It was so nice! Now I live on the North Shore and try and get here twice a month. It is hands down my favorite breakfast place!
(4)
Chris K.
I've only been here for breakfast -everything I have eaten here has been pretty good. Smoked Salmon omelet is great, eggs benedict is great, stuffed french toast is awesome. Menu items are original, its nice to eat outside when its warm. Cons: serve yourself drink bar ( come on I feel like next time I go back I'll have to go up and get my food too) , you will never have the same person come to your table twice and they will make sure to get the food and the check on your table as soon as possible, as soon as possible. Turning tables is the number one priority here. It's a nice place every once in awhile but there are better places for breakfast.
(3)
Kylie H.
My favorite brunch place !!!!!! They have the best omelettes ever, and that potato hash brown/home fry side.... it is amazing how do they make that potatoey deliciousness? I love that they offer bottled drink selections because I can get an odwalla or snapple instead of plain old OJ. The staff has always been very attentive and the owner is almost always there. Very nice environment, definitely worth the wait on weekends. I've tried their dinner selections and by far no where as good as their brunch.
(4)
Alexis K.
long long wait but it is so worth it............ I have never had a bad meal here nor bad service. I would go again and again and again if I could.. please stay the same
(5)
Samantha B.
So good! Just went here for the first time this past weekend after hearing many great reviews! My husband and I were hungry and in the area so we decided to try it out. Even on a Saturday morning - prime brunch time - we didn't have to wait at all for a table. The service was friendly and prompt. The food was great! I got the Ole omelette, which was really big and delish! The homefries were SO good - best I've had. Very soft, almost like mashed potatoes. I didn't get a fruit bowl but a neighboring table had one and it was also huge and looked so delicious! Would definitely recommend this spot for a delicious weekend breakfast!
(5)
Kylie S.
This is a really solid breakfast cafe. I can't believe I'm only now trying it. My friend got the poached eggs and said they were just perfect, as well as a large luscious bowl of fresh fruit. I had scrambled eggs and veggie sausage. Our lattes were decent--not great but perfectly drinkable. They have outdoor tables. There wasn't a line. The staff is friendly. It's a casual and friendly place with a lot of bustle. I'm thinking this is my new breakfast restaurant of choice.
(5)
Sweet T.
My boyfriend had been raving about the eggs benedict here and we finally got a chance to try it out yesterday, when his sister came to visit from NJ. We were seated immediately late on a Friday morning and given menus but no explanations as to what we were supposed to do about drinks... my boyfriend had to explain that you just get up and grab whatever you want, which was somewhat redeemed by the fact that I could have any coffee I wanted. I didn't mind getting up, but an explanation would have been nice! If you're a juice person, you should try the fresh OJ... pretty refreshing! Anyway, the four stars are strictly for the food. I thought the service had something left to be desired (our waiter was pretty short with us) and unfortunately, I'm not sure what the bill came out to... so I can't comment on any changes to price when I asked for an alternative to home fries or when my boyfriend asked for ham in his benedict with tomato and avocado and the waiter never mentioned that it might cost more. I ordered the omelette with mushrooms and boursain... the creamy cheese made it almost decadent (still good the next day)! The portions were also huge, enough that I had much more than half my omelette left. The fruit had a lot of variety and was pretty good overall, considering how much of it was out of season. I had a taste of the eggs benedict and it was really good with a nice hearty slice of Canadian bacon. The hollandaise had a very strong sour cream taste and a little spice to it that made it a little different. Give Sound Bites a chance if you like good breakfast food, and don't mind the service!
(4)
Christalina W.
Went to Sound Bites for lunch, but ordered off the breakfast menu. Prices were definitely reasonable, and the food was served very quickly! I ordered the No Place Like Home Fries and the Chocolate Coconut pancakes. The home fries were pretty good, but nothing spectacular. They were bland to start, so I had to put extra salt on them. After that they were creamy and tasty, but I had had way better. The panckes were yummy, but definitely not the best I've ever had, and I'm surprised they were voted Boston's best. The middle of the panckes had a lot of chocolate and coconut, but the edgs were bare, and a bit hard. The pancakes were not that fluffy. Sound Bites has a fairly good breakfast at a reasonable price, but if you're looking to be "wowed" by the food, don't come here. I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
Lara L.
I am really NOT understanding the bad reviews, it's as if they went to a totally different place. My friend and I have always been treated with nothing but respect and warm hospitality when we go in there, even on a Saturday or Sunday morning (yes, it can be packed, with a long line... and it can even feel a *bit* rushed, but not in a rude way). The owner recognizes us as people who have come in quite a few times... he calls me, "My friend" and always greets us with warmth. A couple of times he has even given us a gift card for a free entree to come for dinner (we have yet to try that, though) The food? SPECTACULAR. And the menu is NOT just your average bacon, eggs, pancakes deal (although they do have that too!). They have their own interesting takes on things, and the results are spectacular! My friend loves the Moroccan Eggs, and I've recently been a HUGE fan of the Ole Omelet. We get a complimentary plate of fresh (and I mean FRESH... DELICIOUS!) fruit while we're waiting. The coffee is GREAT. I couldn't finish my omelet the other day (HUGE portions!) so I had it boxed to take home... they did an EXCELLENT job of boxing it up for me-- obviously did not just throw it in the box and hand it back to me, as some places do. They even packed some plastic utensils and extra napkins for me. I honestly have to say that this place has the whole package- GREAT Food, Great variety, Decent prices, Awesome hospitality, and beautiful decor. Sound Bites is DEFINITELY a favorite.
(5)
Sarah I.
This is my weekend breakfast spot. I never go anywhere else. It may look daunting when you walk up on a Saturday morning (around 11am) and see the line going past the block, but trust me, you will not wait long. Feel free to walk inside, get a cup of coffee, and bring it back out into the line. The owner is great at fitting different sized parties in as quickly as possible. The service inside is no different. You'll get your drinks and food quickly, and when you're ready to leave, there's no waiting around. While they're pretty quick about bringing your check and clearing your table when you're finished, if you're interested in having another cup of coffee and hanging out, they'll leave you be. The food is incredible. They definitely do breakfast right. Fruit here is always very, very fresh. The menu leaves nothing to be desired and has all the breakfast staples, plus some great omelet/bene variations. Also, if you're looking for a breakfast cocktail, they make some great ones. I've also been here for dinner a few times to watch games. They're great about putting the games on at the bar, but also have a big projection screen on the dining side that they'll use. Dinner food is tasty, but if you come in and just order beers all night, they might throw a complimentary plate of fruit your way before you leave. I understand the rivalry between Sound Bites and Ball Sq Cafe, but because I love this place so much, I've never even considered going next door.
(5)
David D.
"Did you hear that?" "Yeah, they forgot to put her order in 25 minutes ago..." I'm not sure why this place is called 'Sound Bites'. The only sound bites I heard, were the complaints of other customers! And I added plenty! The seating was out of control. I think my friend and I were rushed to our seats by the owner's chunky 12 year-old son, but to our advantage, he skipped over a party of four that had been waiting a little longer. That's what happens when you put your kids to work, I guess. :( From where we were sitting, I could see a full bar, but no staff. I asked the owner if they were serving, or if we could at least get mimosas, and he said he'd make them. The mimosas tasted like a bottle of Andre splashed into a jug of Tang. :( Yuck-Yuck. While we waited for our food, I couldn't help but listen to other people complain, seriously! One woman was served 10 minutes before her friend, and she started to share her breakfast, and other people were complaining about forgotten items, etc. I could even hear the owner defending the staff to other customers, and explaining a story about someone who left their wallet behind, and tried to retrieve it while the restaurant was still in operation, and he couldn't give it back to them while people were eating? (It totally made no sense, and if that was YOUR wallet, the owner totally thought you were an asshole. :( ) Once our food arrived, the frowns were non-stop. My plate was covered in grease, and the home fries were actually mashed potatoes (you were totezZz right, Bonnie!) I'm sorry, but if you are going to call them home fries, the potato has to be in a diced form when it reaches the plate. These weren't a step above fucking whipped HASH BROWNS. Upon inspection of the greasy potato roll, I noticed what appeared to be a red hair. I put it up to my head and asked my friend if it looked like one of mine, and she confirmed that it was not. I asked if it was one of hers, because she has red hair, and she told me it was not. Then we both came to the conclusion that it was a thick fiber from a Brillo pad, and had a good laugh (while avoiding the rest of the home fries). The menu options seem fun, but they failed to thrill me. And the red metallic topping on my potato log did not score any bonus points. :( I STILL have no idea what the hell the name has to do with anything. When I heard the name Sound Bites, I thought of the Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, or some place where I'd hear The Clash while eating a pancake. I think I could hear Genesis playing in the background, but that may have been someone's ringtone (and I fucking HATE Genesis!) . I think there were a lot of Tufts students here, and that's a shame. You kids need to get on the T or shuttle bus, and get the hell out of there. :( (p.s. this place was recently remodeled!!! stop bitching at me or I'll make you eat here! Ewwww!)
(2)
Jim B.
Sound Bites started to go a bit downhill recently so I go to Ball Square Cafe now. Tables are too close together, you get an ass in the face when the customers either side of you get up. It's like you're sitting at the same table as them, no privacy at all, so I end up not wanting to talk to who I am with. It's not relaxing, everything is go go go.
(2)
Karen B.
What a horrible experience! We waited 20 minutes to get in-totally expected on a Sunday, of course. I only wish the wait had been worth it. We ordered quickly-my coat was barely off. I ordered an omelet which was delivered very quickly-but the eggs were tough-I wondered if they used some egg extenders. As soon as the food was delivered the bill was dropped off. Then the staff began badgering us-seriously-we ate in about 10 minutes which apparently was not fast enough. THEN-the owner came over and basically asked us to leave-pointing out the line outside. Well, since we were not able to finish our coffee, we went to the coffee refill area and filled VERY SMALL to go cups. The entire time the owner stood about 5 feet away harassing us. Two different waitresses came up an apologized! There are plenty of places to go to have a marginal breakfast. I would never recommend this to anyone-and we have been there a number of times before this. What a horrible person the owner is! No wonder the line next door is getting longer!
(1)
K. T.
I rolled in for Sunday breakfast at 7 AM and we were the first to be seated. I had the eggs benny with hash and it was delicious. The eggs were poached perfectly, and the hollandaise sauce was seasoned well. My boyfriend had the scrambled egg breakfast with the toasted corn muffin, potatoes and canadian bacon--I have no complaints about anything on his dish. Our food was warm, served quickly and very satisfying, and we liked the self-service beverage station. The other reviews are less enthusiastic about the food, so maybe the quality declines as the restaurant gets busier. I'll be back again, next time for the award-winning french toast before weekend brunch rush hour!
(5)
David B.
I have been going to Sound Bites for 11 years. I lived in Somerville in the early 2000's, and the place was across the street from me. So, I became a regular on the weekends. I still return when I can. I was there 2 weeks ago. I ordered the Swine & Swiss omelet. The food was very good, and the prices are quite reasonable. I have ordered the western omelet, swine and swiss, french toast, and the occasional pancakes over the years, and have always enjoyed the food. I love having the coffee be self serve because I can make it my own way, and get refills whenever I want. I have not found a lot of brunch places in Boston that I like since moving to Boston 16 years ago, but Sound Bites is one of them. Once you get to know Yasser and his personality, he is fun to talk to.
(5)
Michele W.
I am a self-proclaimed breakfast lover. I have been to visit my sister, and it she always brings me here. the hospatality is awesome, and it is a rarity for the owner of any establishment to come up and talk to thier patrons. the self-serve drink bar is a excellent idea for a place this busy. being from california, i thought that some of thier mexican-inspired breakfast entrees would be bad, but they were very very tasty and excellent and pretty accruate on how they should taste (i have been warned about the "mexican" food on the east coast. long story short: busy place, great peole, awesome food, and excellent prices/.
(4)
Josh S.
The quality of food here is amazing, considering a pretty substantial menu. One of the best places to get breakfast in Boston. I'm always astounded by the fruit bowl - so much variety and so fresh. One downside is that a seat at Soundbites is in such high demand, the wait can be long and the staff (understandably) rushes you out once you get your check.
(4)
Liz B.
Eh. I wasn't wowed. After reading the reviews of the place I was expecting something really great, but it really just hovered somewhere around average. Would go with 2.5 if there was the option. Big points for a very fast moving line. I think we waited all of 10 minutes at 11:30 on a Sunday. Food was mediocre. I ordered eggs over easy that came out over hard and covered in butter, with turkey sausage (bonus points for sausage options) and the boy had blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs. Didn't end up eating the eggs and couldn't get a server's attention to see if I could get a different set (I have a huge aversion to cooked egg yoke). The scrambled eggs came out very dry as well but that happens to be how he likes his eggs. The pancakes had a lot of fruit in them but the pancake itself was really dry and kind of chewy. Wasn't really a fan of the "homefries." Breakfast for me is an excuse to eat a whole heck of a lot of ketchup and skillet fried mashed potatoes isn't really a great ketchup conduit. Wasn't great, wasn't terrible, but I think I'll give Ball Square Cafe next door a try before heading here again.
(3)
Lu B.
I go here on weekends all the time; and I never have to wait in a line. Maybe I'm just always ahead of the crowds as I also find it impossible to to sleep past eight even on weekends. I've arrived as late as 11:00 or so on a Sunday and still not had to stand in line. Don't fear the line, if you're an early riser like me. I'm not sure that anything else I have to say about the place will add to the reviews already here. The food is awesome. The homefries aren't homefries, but some version of fried mashed potatoes. When you order anything with fruit you will get about two cups of all kinds of fruit, mango, papaya, whole strawberries, kiwi. I almost always order the challah french toast with fruit for this very reason. Yes, you have to pour your own coffee and yes when it gets crowded they will do everything within their power to turn your table quickly. Sometimes you might be lucky enough to witness a minor family skirmish going on between staff members. Personally, I think all of the above only contribute to this places charm.
(5)
Gwen F.
Great food, but ten minutes into breakfast, our server (the owner?) was telling us that we had to hurry up, finish our food, and get out. Yes there was a line out the door (in which I dutifully waited for a half hour earlier), but was I supposed to shovel my unsuspecting bagel into my mouth, choke it down and say thanks? I honestly think the dude wanted me to stuff my hash browns in my pocket (a la Napoleon Dynamite) to eat them later. Geez Soundbites, sorry I eat too slowly for your tastes. I haven't been back since, and I do tell my friends about my experience.
(1)
Lea L.
Our favorite sit-down breakfast place in Boston. We have to limit ourselves to Sounds Bites only once a month to avoid calorie overload. Absolutely love the food -- our favorites are the various combos like boston best blue, eggs benny, broadway bowl, stuffed french toast, and boyfriend really likes the corned beef hash. Always great service, even with the longest lines we're seated quickly, always willing to accommodate our needs (I hurt my back once and they immediately let us switch tables to a more comfortable seat), wonderful coffee, and of course my number one concern: excellent food.
(5)
Amanda L.
Soundbites is always dependably good. Their food is fresh, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxed. It's especially nice in the spring/summer when the big windows are open to the street. I try to come here at "off" times, like weekdays or later on the weekends, because the line for Saturday and Sunday morning brunch can be out of control. But, it's worth the wait if you do go during peak times. The omelettes are great, as is the stuffed french toast. Fruit is always fresh and so is the coffee. My husband says it's awesome for lunch, too -- next, I'm going to try it for dinner. I'll report back on my findings!
(4)
kirby c.
I went for breakfast on a weekday. No lines. No crowds. No problem getting an awesome table by the window. I ordered the Wonder Waffle with a side of bacon. Probably one of the best waffle I've ever had. Nice golden color and very nice malt flavor. I was very satisfied with my dish. Beverages are self serve so that was great not having to wait for someone to refill my coffee or juice. This will be my standard order from now on. Just a great place on the weekday. I hear that the lines are crazy during the weekends.
(5)
Andrew K.
If you're a late twenty something or in your early thirties and have been hanging around Somerville for any length of time you will run into someone you know at Sound Bites - an ex, an old co-worker, that tattooed buddy holly glasses hipster your best friend's ex was secretly in love with - they're all there. Oh yeah, and they have great mashed potato homefries. Those are ridiculously good. Another reviewer described them as garlic-y. There's something else, though, I think maybe a hint of ranch or something. Either way they're worth the wait in line. The omlettes are excellent and offer a wide variety of creative fillings. Their eggs have been done just right each time I've gone and the toast, is well, toast, nothing special nothing bad, though. Their alcoholic drinks are fairly strong. Their coffee is self-serve, which is I understand, a nuisance to some, since your morning joe no involves a stutter step, spin moves, and a sideways shuffle to make it back to your table. It isn't even that great a cup of coffee either. Everything else they do related to breakfast more than makes up for it. Yes, they're insanely busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Deal with it. At times, there are some grouchy staff and mistakes happen; welcome to living in a city. I honestly don't get what some of these complaints are about. Put on your big kids pants and go to breakfast. Or stay home, I'm sure Sound Bites will be fine without all you weak, whine-y would-be patrons. If you're ready for a great breakfast amidst some controlled chaos and the chance to awkwardly run into an ex, or do some hipster mocking go to Sound Bites.
(4)
Steph D.
My first PURELY YELP RECOMMENDED restaurant. It fully lived up to the Hizzype. Highlights: Chocolate Coconut Pancakes and DRIP COFFEE BAR! Totally worth the Sunday drive. It was pure goodness in every damn bite.
(5)
D M.
I dunno how it's possible that I hadn't ever been here before yesterday, but I got schooled in breakfast dining by Barbara Ann when she brought me to Sound Bites yesterday. We went relatively early (for a Sunday) and were in and out before 11:30 AM, which was great because while it was a little busy, we still missed the brunch rush, which we saw on our way out. We got to sit outside, which was fantastic with the nice weather, and hit the coffee bar for some tasty beverages, then ordered right away. I ordered the tomato and avocado eggs benedict, which ended up being out of control awesome. Barbara Ann got the pear and goat cheese stuff french toast-also AWESOME. A word to the wise: if you're expecting standard home fries/hash browns, you may want to order something else. The "hash browns" here are fried mashed potatoes, which are really good, but not the standard. Barbara Ann ordered a fruit cup, which is absolutely the best fruit cup I've seen. It was filled with mango, papaya, kiwi, apples, pears, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries. Clearly a fresh, seasonal fruit cup, which is always a treat. The service was lovely and very fast, and Barbara Ann got a kiss on the cheek first thing on a Sunday morning from not one of her adorable children, but the nice owner. I will definitely be coming back here again. It's cheap, friendly, fast and tasty. I need to check out Ball Square more often!
(5)
Emily D.
I'm not totally sure why this place has such a great reputation. I came for brunch on the weekend and it was packed with a line out the door. The service was rude, slow, and unhelpful (and I'm not too stuck-up about that kind of stuff). Maybe the best dishes are the sweet things, but I had an omelet and it wasn't at all memorable.
(2)
Lisa C.
This place was abso-freakin-fantastic! I'd heard of the extremely long lines, but fortunately when we got there (around 10:30 AM on a weekend) there were only two people ahead of us. We were seated quickly and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the menu since it seemed so small. But man, can they pack a lot into those little two pages. I opted for the "elegant eggs benedict" which weren't any more elegant than any other eggs benedict I've had. However, they came with "home fries." This is a total misnomer as their home fries are actually fried mashed potatoes, which were totally delicious. The eggs benedict had a bit of a spicy kick to them. While it was totally unexpected, it was also really delicious. The person I was with IMPLORED me to try the corn muffin, which had been cut open and either toasted or grilled. I didn't think it possible, but whatever their technique they have certainly elevated the lowly corn muffin to some new extravagant status. The decor was nice, as was the service. While I didn't have anything to drink, I like the notion of a self-serve beverage bar.
(5)
Marilyn T.
Parking on nearby streets wasn't too bad, and despite the long line outside, 2 of us made it in within about 15 minutes on a Sunday for brunch. I've heard bad things about the service, but we encountered no problems on the day we were there. It wasn't amazing service, but it's a breakfast place - we never felt rushed despite the huge line outside, and they were pretty courteous. The omelette was a bit greasy, but then again, it's a diner. The hash browns are amazing - like fried mashed potatoes - crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside - so satisfying. The standout dish was the stuffed french toast. I'm not usually a fan of french toast, but the combination of the sweet pear and the creamy/strong goat cheese really went well together. The menu offers a pretty big selection and variations on omelettes, but make sure you get the hash browns with whatever you order. Don't be intimidated by the lines outside - it's worth the wait to try at least once.
(4)
Michele G.
Super loud, people packed in sardines, undercooked pancakes and eggs, indifferent service. I've had it with Ball Square. Sorry, but I was really wanting you to be excellent after our rude experience next door, but you were sadly meh.
(2)
Ashla D.
4 stars for the fresh squeezed Orange Juice! And food came out lightning fast! Brunch was good...had pancakes, eggs, home-fries. All decent. The wait staff was friendly and accommodating to my parties requests for things not featured on the brunch menu. :) They also have a great wrap with avocado that my friend raves about!
(4)
Jennifer P.
Home fries are 4 stars for me- more like well-seasoned mashed potatoes with a crispy outer covering. But the artichoke heart tomato omelette was ok. The tomato was a little raw, and the whole thing could have had more flavor. I had to add alot of salt. They really try to rush you out so it's not a very relaxing brunch. I had to ask them to fill my water and after I took a sip, they started busing it away. Cool groovy atmosphere but not enough time to enjoy it.
(3)
Karen N.
We went after noon on a Sunday and there was still a line out the door...I always take this as a sign that the place must be good. It totally was! I got the Ole Omelette, and it was fabulous (and fabulously large...totally only made it halfway through before giving up due to an uncomfortably full stomach). It came with some fried potatoes (I don't know if they claim they were hash browns or not, but they were like fried mashed potatoes--new concept for me, but delicious) and a fried corn muffin. One of my companions got the strawberry-chocolate pancakes, which were a little lacking on the strawberry front, though they were covered in lots of delicious-looking fruit (the check was really funny cuz they diagrammed fruit on top of the pancakes, like the chef needed a picture or something). Lots of things on the menu looked good.
(4)
mama s.
Its been two years since I moved away from Sommerville and I still crave Sound Bites. I've been tempted quite a few times to find a flight and catch a cab straight to this place. Why? Perhaps it is nostalgia but their food was really that good. Not only that the staff (including the owner) were always welcoming, remembered us and made us feel right at home. Prices are average for breakfast... and since they took over the wings place across the street I developed a serious Sound Bites habit... probably because I lived a block away. Yes, the drinks are self-service. Yes, you have to wait outside in the cold. Yes, their homefries are scrumptious. Yes, one day I will be back in Mass and have breakfast there again (sigh).
(4)
Nat S.
Sept. '07 Update: What is up with that crappy sign on the new location. Does Building 19 sell ugly giant black plastic letters? Nice orange extension cord coming out of the window to power the sign lights! Yasser gets plenty of money from the Ball Square/Tufts community. He shouldn't make his patrons look at that PoS. I am taking another star away because of the crappy sign I have to see everyday. Not a fan. I have been eating there periodically since before Yasser bought it and now every other restaurant in Ball Sq. The food used to be much better. I would travel elsewhere for breakfast. The fruit plate is really good though. The new location where El Guapo was doesn't change matters. The new dinner menu looks boring and expensive, given that it is pasta from Sound Bites. The new Ball Square Breakfast opening next door should mix it up a little. I go to Kelly's or the Broken Yolk when I hanker some eggs. I go to True Grounds for everything else in the morning.
(1)
Dana H.
After relocating from San Francisco and searching high and low for a brunch staple, I discover Soundbites. Delicious pancakes, delightful owner. We go with our baby and they are always accomodating. Yes, it does get packed on the weekend, but the wait has never been more than 10-15 minutes for us.
(5)
Adam H.
Other reviewers here will mention the upsides to Soundbites. Feel free to enjoy their reviews. However, it can't be sufficiently stressed that management treats customers like trash. I've seen waiters try to snatch plates from people who clearly weren't done eating. This happened to me and my friends, and after we left, the (owner?) chased us out of the restaurant and shouted at us, telling us never to come back... because we'd taken a whopping 45 minutes from the moment we were seated until the time we left. In my opinion, they deserve a one-star rating or two.
(1)
Aisling K.
I wanted to take an out-of-town guest to Ball Square Cafe, but we decided the line was too long so we went to Soundbites instead. This was a mistake. The food was extremely mediocre - my banana blueberry pancakes were quite average, and one of them was still gooey in the middle. (Certainly not "Boston's Best Pancakes", as they claim to have been awarded.) My meal and my friend's meal were served at different times (something I noticed happening at a lot of tables), and the service was below average. Wait for Ball Square Cafe - the food is fantastic, and the service is much more pleasant despite the rush.
(2)
Jennifer W.
I almost gave this place 4 stars because of the "No Place Like Home" Fries that are amazing! With that said, I think Soundbites is a bit overrated. It is a good breakfast place with fun choices, but the wait is usually painful. It is no where near the best breakfast I have ever had, but everyone seems to adore it. If you go, go during the week or very early on the weekend. Otherwise, the line is down the block.
(3)
Rebecca C.
I love Sound Bites. My first love was their breakfast, of course. My favorites are the 2 cubed royal, which includes pancakes (I get strawberry chocolate), eggs any style, breakfast meat and bagel or toast. Other faves: challah French toast with piles of fruit on top (including papaya, mango and kiwi alongside apples, oranges, etc.). Another fave: the grilled homemade muffins. Anyway, I could go on and on. The point is- the breakfast is great, and Yasser is a friendly and attentive owner. I'm so happy for him and his team that they have been able to expand. Stopped by for dessert and tea the other night and the dinner menu looked really good- can't wait to try it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(5)
Steven L.
We have been coming to Sound Bites for over ten years, and love the great food, good prices, and friendly service. We love the multigrain waffle with fresh fruit and whipped cream (the fruit is always fresh) and the Ole omelette, done just right with salsa, beans and onions. They do urge you not to dawdle over your coffee, but this makes sense -- otherwise the wait would be hours long. Once we arrived to find they were on vacation, tried another local establishment, and resolved not to do that again. A great meal every time!
(5)
Fazle K.
This place is very over rated. The food is OK, the service is terrible, and the espresso drinks are awful. There are plenty of very good breakfast/brunch places in the Cambridge/Somerville area there is no reason to patronize them. In addition there is a story circulating that before they took over El Gupo's space Sound Bite's owner tried to force out the Blue Cloud Gallery next door - locally owned an operated independent boutique specializing in Somerville artists. Definitely not a good neighborhood restaurant.
(1)
R.K. B.
I've abeen to Sound Bites on numerous occasions and had great exeriences. These have always been on weekdays. The food has been great - Tuscan omlet and Triple Berry pancakes are outstanding. Yesterday I went on a Sunday for the first time and had a completely different experience. It was very crowded as I expected it to be. There were four of us, we waited, got a table and ordered our foor. The waitress was very nice - no problem. The food on the other hand was not at all up to standards. The omlets were so-so, the pancakes were awful - dry and heavy. The batter had not been mixed through so there were also bits of flour. Not good. The staff hovered over the table and kept trying to take the plates away while we were still eating. When we got a second cup of coffee the owner/manager came up and said we could get a to go cup and take it out or if we wanted to drink it there we had five minutes. It was crowded (and very loud) but we were not there an unusually long time and I felt that this was extremely rude and unprofessional. After this experience I would not recommend going on a weekend, although I might try it again on a weekday.
(2)
Mina I.
I have heard the hype.. and I am feeding into it. I think this is an awesome place to go have breakfast with friends. The line is LONG but worth the wait on the weekend.. Most the people in line have been there and are glad to give you yummy suggestions and the staff are awesome in giving recommendations too. Is is a little crowded so be willing to bob and weave your way to the self serve coffee. Feel free to come as you are, you'll fit right in and have a great breakfast (-:
(5)
Liza M.
love this place. don't even mind waiting in the long line since you can get your coffee and drink while waiting!!! I miss the smaller location though, it was part of the experience. the stuffed french toast, pancakes and omelets are great and the no place like home fries!!!
(4)
Caroline W.
I love Sound Bites. The traditional menu items and the fancier ones (hello, goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast) are all great. I dream about their home fries (which are more like grilled mashed potatoes). Mmmm.
(5)
Pete P.
its just not the same as it used to be. the service is much different. i feel like the staff is lax in the new place. the food is still really good though. that hash with the peppers in it is phenomenal and the "homefries" are still a nice change from every other place in boston. i will hit it up tomorrow and see if it has improved at all but in the new local it is just another breakfast place.
(3)
sarah t.
always awesome, but now totally different with the new decor, etc. homefries A+ veggie sausage - crispy and delicious anything benedict is so good... everything on the menu is awesome coffee, tea and water are self serve, snaps. the staff is friendly and they do things their own way at this spot... which makes you always want to go back.
(5)
Scott F.
Very overrated. To think that someone would wait in line for an hour (as almost everybody must) to eat the unremarkable food is very strange to me. Go down the street to The Broken Yolk or head to Tasty Gourmet on the far side of the Tufts' campus. Both offer better food, less attitude, and less crowd.
(2)
Heidi C.
I need to start this review by saying that I've yet to actually go into Sound Bites and sit down for breakfast/brunch. As this is their "claim to fame", I have nothing bad to say about it. I actually look forward to being able to try them out, now that we live in Winter Hill. However, Soundbites BBQ and Grill (also known as On Broadway I believe), which is their off-shoot that does take-out/delivery food leaves a lot to be desired. When they first opened, they were one of the better places in Somerville, especially for wings. However, the food has gone down hill. Most recently, we ordered a salad, garlic bread and two entrees (chicken tenders and a chicken parm sub). The garlic bread was literally burned on the edges and so dry it was inedible. The chicken was overcooked with a very rubbery texture that made it difficult to enjoy in either entree. The salad was reasonably fresh with a tasty blue cheese dressing (one of the only reasons they get two stars instead of one). In this case, I think sticking to what Sound Bites is known for (eat-in breakfast or brunch) is your best bet! Delivery and take out just isn't their forte.
(2)
Lindsey W.
Yummy cheap breakfast food. They cooked my eggs juuusst right. Great if you live in the area but not worth a long trip.
(4)
suzie q.
I love, love, love this place. BEST pancakes in the city hands down. I can overlook the odd service in lieu of the food. Breakfast is so good and I really like the atmosphere for what it is. After a night out, it is just what the body needs.
(4)
Kat L.
I used to be a fan of Sound Bites, but I'm just not feeling the love anymore. I was lucky to be one of the people the owner liked, but I have seen him act over the top with other patrons. It's unfortunate because they do have some great breakfast dishes. The owner aside - the reason I'm taking a pass on this restaurant is the service has taken a serious nose dive since they expanded their space. It seems like they tripled their space but never expanded the staff or kitchen. You have to wait outside forever to get in, and then wait forever for your order to be taken, for your food to arrive....it's just not worth it anymore. Also they really need to get rid of the self serve coffee area. It's far too cramped and completely inconvenient for the space. I have to jockey for the milk with five other people in a space meant for two. How hard would it be to just have the waiters serve the coffee?
(2)
Josh C.
I love breakfast at soundbite. One issue concern me is the cleanliness of the place. I just doubt it when sitting and looking around all furniture and fixtures in the cafe. All tables are close and very crowded. Well, I am there for breakfast, not people watching..ok.... Pancake is great. Coffee choice are good. Just don't go in winter, especially after 830am on the weekend. It is just brutal waiting outside in cold. Park on main st. only if you don't want to get parking ticket.
(4)
al e c.
how on earth have i not written a review for Sound Bites yet? the lines for Sound Bites are a little nuts so if you have a party of 4 or more, get there early. on the good side, you can drink all the coffee you want while you wait to get in. if you are waiting, however, don't keep the door open. when it is your turn to sit down, you will want to enjoy your meal sans chilly breeze so please do not subject me to an open door or i will get up and scold you for it. that said, the food is delicious and creative and the service is fast. the coffee is better than any breakfast place around and better even than some coffee shops. i love the owner and staff here, too. no one is going to hold your hand here--they know that their food is great and that a lot of people are waiting for your seat. but they are funny and cool. yasir, the owner, is one of my favorite people in somerville. he may seem standoffish at first, but if you take the time to chat with him he's hilarious and really sweet. anyway, go here. leave time for the wait to get in, but once you sit down you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Daniel S.
I don't know, y'all. First visit did not live up to the hype. I sampled the supposed house special, Morroccan breakfast. Apparently, in Morrocco one shows hospitality by sprinkling huge dashes of cumin over a plate of eggs, tomatoes and green pepper. Either that or they lost the sifter cap on their spice bottle. I did feel the post-thanksgiving mashed potato style homefrries, but generally, I was underwhelmed.
(3)
Elizabeth D.
I am so appalled with the service of the owner in my experience with this restaurant, that I have decided to boycott this restaurant. I heard such wonderful things about this restaurant, and so I waited in line on a rainy Sunday for a delicious breakfast. While waiting, I decided to grab a cup of coffee from across the street. Once inside the restaurant, the owner yelled at me in front of the entire restaurant to hide my coffee under the table because he hated the people who own the coffee shop across the street. His behavior was unprofessional and disrespectful. In fact, he made me cry. I have never experienced such hostility from someone who is trying to attract my business. Had he kindly stated that he didn't support the business across the street, I might have been more inclined to put my coffee away and try his own. Anyone with that much hostility over a cup of coffee brought into his restaurant from the outside has some serious issues. Rather than reverting to yelling back and defending myself, I just sat there and ate my breakfast. It was just okay, and certainly didn't deserve the praise it had been given by so many other people. I am now boycotting Sound Bites due to such rude and unnecessary treatment. The dining experience is not just about the food but the service as well, and this particular owner needs some lessons in manners, and should know better than to yell at a lady.
(1)
Geetika A.
i dont get it. we went for brunch. The food here is NOT even worth it if there wasn't a long line in the COLD and gruff service. for me, food makes a place, service can add to it or on a rare occasion make up slightly for food, but yah this didnt have either. I had stuffed french toast with pears and goat cheese which sounded exciting....but it was just blah. the french toast was mediocre (id had much better two days before at rosebuds) my friends apple cinnamon pancakes, scambled eggs, and homefries which I also tried in hopes to redeem my disappointment...were all underwhelming as well. Even my other friends egg bagel sandwich was sub par (arent you east coasters suppose to know how to make bagels?) the only thing I thought stood out was the grilled blueberry muffin,. it was actually delicious. so if you must go, get that.
(2)
Adrienne B.
Its true what they've all already said- you gotta order fast, eat fast, pay fast, and hightail it out of there when you're done. However, the fact that it has this reputation makes it fun. I love taking vistors here on Saturday mornings, they always want to go back and ask about it. I've been on a Tuesday Am which is great because its much more low key and the owner isn't as crazed so he's funny and nice. I think once you get on his good side you're in which is something to strive for! I overheard him talking about how he bought Wing Zings across the street and that he bought empty space next to it and in a year he'll be over there with 50!!! tables... I'm sure the atmosphere won't change but hey at least there will be more tables!
(4)
Huan z.
long line, but very cheap and good food. You have to serve tea for your self. it's a tiny space with so many tables and people in the restaurant.
(3)
Naomi b.
It's alright. It has a certain charm, certainly, but the weekend brunch scene is not pleasant. Too rushed and crowded and in the winter, the wait outside is painful, even with coffee in hand. Weekdays are much better, though I've managed to get there during the week a few times. I also don't think the food is anything to write home about. It's good, nothing spectacular. The price is right though.
(3)
Ellie L.
A few summers ago at Soundbites, I was pulling that "I'll pretend I'm not hungry & stare at the wall plaintively" movethat one sometimes feels compelled to do when with one's mother. Trying my best to ignore the waiters rushing by with plates of fluffy/fruity french toast and chock-full-o-good-stuff omelettes, I finally snapped to attention when Mr. Soundbites himself rushed officiously over to our tense table. Known for his 'soup nazi' style, the guy's had me trembling since i was a freshman at Tufts, but that day, he merely pulled up a chair, gave me a puppy dog look, and made me laugh with stories about him and his mom until i threw in the Sulky Towel and ordered my favorite, Moroccan Eggs (spicy and delicious!). As if I didn't already think Soundbites was the best breakfast in the Boston area...
(5)
Karen K.
Oh how I miss your fruit salad-covered-french toast and being told to take my coffee to go. I'm too lazy to drive to Davis on a weekend morning. But I miss you. I may have to move back.
(5)
erin e.
The ONLY thing keeping me from giving this place a full five stars is the fact that there are literally signs on the walls telling you that your table is a hot commodity, so you better chow and get out. Otherwise, this place ROCKS and there is a very good reason that you have to wait in line for a LONG time on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The funny guy who owns it is a huge plus too. I enjoy patronizing the establishments of those I find quirky.
(4)
Walt Z.
Rather love it from the times I have gone. The eggs benedict I thought were very good, and soon, they will be moving next door, and I overheard that there is a liquor license, which I believe means new hours, but I wouldn't want to overstate what could happen. I will be making this a regular stop for breakfast and the paper on my days off, from now on.
(5)
Kate S.
Eh. Soundbites is pretty good standard breakfast food, but I fail to see what is so special about it. The coffee while you are waiting in line is awesome, but geesh - who wants to wait in line for 45 minutes for pancakes - good pancakes even. It takes maybe 20 minutes to whip up a batch for myself. The one exception to my being generally unimpressed is that they offer breakfast delivery(!) on weekdays. Too bad I'm no longer a student who wakes up hungover on Tuesday mornings - but I would've loved breakfast delivery back in the day.
(3)
Michael K.
Best breakfast I have had in Medford/Somerville area hands down. I had whole grain pancakes which were good (maybe I might get normal pancakes next time, though). Also had granola with fruit and yogurt (delicious) and a side of bacon (legit). Every other dish I saw looked excellent as well. Also, get the fresh squeezed oj, you won't regret it.
(5)
Paige W.
On a Sunday at 11am, my party of 4 only had a 7ish minute wait time to be seated. The self serve coffee bar is such a smart concept and there is a good variety of options (from tea, iced or hot coffee, flavorings, etc). Our server was very friendly, cracked a lot if jokes, and made us feel taken care of... I think he may have been management. The food we ordered didn't take long to come out, but our server promptly brought out two little complimentary plates of fresh fruit. Delightful! I ordered a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs (because I'm probably a child), bacon, and blueberry pancakes. If that wasn't enough, it came with toast! Everything was truly delicious. A ton of food for $12. I'll be back. TLDR: Friendly, quick service. Delicious food. Great price.
(5)
Gonen M.
Compared to the chaotic environment and the crowd in Ball Square breakfast, Sound Bites offers a more relaxed and friendly environment. I like that you get your own coffee/tea/juice from the dedicated counter, and you don't have to wait for someone to bring it to you. I wish all the brunch places had the same option. I was in the mood for something light, so I got the fruits and yogurt. The fruit plate had all kinds of fruits that I have seen in my life so far in it. And it was gigantic.
(4)
Liz M.
We had intended to go to the place next door, but the line there was miles long so these guys took us in right away as we didn't mind being seated at the bar - next to a cute guy I might add... who did not notice two beautiful single women seated near him because he was too busy being "social" on his phone... -_- But I digress... I can't remember what my meal was called but it was basically bacon, scrambled eggs, and french toast. Standard stuff but the bread they used for the french toast was soo tasty. There was a subtle sweetness to it, I pretty much didn't need syrup. I still think about it, so that is a very good sign! The bacon was a good combo of crispy and chewy and the eggs were cooked nicely. I don't remember having to wait very long for anything. The coffee and juice were self-serve, and I'm not a huge fan of that situation. I would've liked at least coffee served at the table, just to save myself from being scared out of my wits while walking back with it because I'm frickin' clumsy and there's quite a crowd in there. I intended to grab an oj but when I got back with it it tasted like it was an oj/something else combo. I probably should have looked more carefully, but was getting over the coffee-gauntlet trauma... I would definitely go back, who doesn't love a good breakfast? Maybe phone-guy is still sitting there and I'll have him get me coffee if he ever looks up...
(4)
Nikki C.
We got here at a good time...just before the breakfast rush on a Saturday morning! It's rather small inside and has a self-serve beverage system. You order your beverage and you get up and get it yourself. Water, too! The only thing your server brings is your food and your bill. I ordered the french toast. 2 slices of french toast w/bacon. One of my slices was the END PIECE. Who serves the end piece?? Because of that, it was smaller than the normal slice of bread. I had one and a half pieces of french toast. Smh. I didn't like that at all but I didn't complain. My friend ordered a stack of 3 pancakes w/scrambled eggs and bacon. He had no complaints and it looked great.
(3)
Dan R.
Always question myself when giving a 5 but, all in all, nothing good have been better. We got seated within 5 minutes, late morning on a Sunday, with the nearby Tufts back in session. Place next door had long lines and waits, lots of people on the street. Got a window table. Huge menu with a wide variety including a couple North African flavors. Hard to make a choice, went for the corn beef hash which was tasty if a little dry, but more distinct and less mysterious than many hashes. The food came quickly. One friend had a beautiful waffle, going halfsies with the banana and apple toppings; another.s mushroom, cheese & spinach omelet looked and tasted great. To help their efficiency most beverages are self serve.
(5)
Tammy G.
We were recommended to this location as a great local breakfast spot by our air b&b host, and he was spot on! We liked the self serve water and coffee station. The space is roomy and the staff is friendly. I tried the signature dish of DELICIOUS Portuguese eggs. This was a new dish for me but something very similar to the way I naturally cook at home. Who knew I was so clever? my son had the spinach and feta eggs Benedict and my spouse had the traditional eggs Benedict. Both found their meals to be perfect. We all really enjoyed the home fries done much differently than we are accustomed to out on the West Coast. In appearance they look to be more like a potato cake. One thing is absolutely certain. If we were locals we would have a booth and everyone would know our name.
(5)
Catherine R.
They have my pumpkin spice coffee, my favorite yum yum! Instead waiting for dunkin donuts in winter! You help yourself w/ the coffees & even you can take it home if you want too! I love lox on the bagel(salmon sandwich w/ cream cheese delicious!) here & they cook real fresh corn beef hash! It's like it's not out if a can, they cook it fresh corn beef! The service is very good & the food is expensive! I'm very impressed, I'm sold!
(4)
Matthew R.
Sound Bites is quite simply the best...freshest ingredients, authentic menu, fun fun atmosphere, and Yasser and his team are wonderful hosts...every time!
(5)
Naira Q.
Average quality "Mediterranean" food. I got the chicken kebab roll up. Which was basically unseasoned grilled chicken wrapped with hummus and avocados. The sweet potatoes fries and home fries were pretty good. My sister got the Cobb salad which she said was average. Wait staff was friendly.
(3)
Eileen H.
I admit I arbitrarily picked Team Sound Bites in the Sound Bites vs. Ball Square rivalry, but Sound Bites has kept my loyalty for almost 10 years. Even when there's a long line to get in, the line moves quickly and the service is fast inside. The fruit bowl here is amazing -- huge variety of fruits and super fresh. Pro tip: if you can't decide between savory and sweet breakfast foods, get the 2^3 Royale and substitute fruit for the side of toast (currently $2/substitution).
(5)
Jules K.
I tried soundbites again reluctantly but I am so glad I did it was a totally different experience the service was great and the food was awesome I'll be back... I got an omelette and home fries.. Both were delicious
(5)
Nicole B.
I feel like I should give Sound Bites a second chance, but that's really based on my deep love of breakfast food. I came here with a friend on a crowded Sunday morning, and to my surprise, despite the line snaking out the door, we were seated almost immediately. For two people, the line moves quick. If you have more than that, you may have to wait. The coffee and water are self-service, and waiters come around for your order. The menu is very large, with an entire page devoted to omelettes and another to sweeter breakfast foods. I tried the french toast with strawberries and banana. Here's where the 3 stars comes in: the french toast was cooked fine but was drowning in a watery strawberry type syrup. Long story short: the fruit had been improperly cooked for a dish like this, and it was just warm and slightly sweet, not the confection, syrup masterpiece usually found on french toast. Worse still was that the meal tasted like a griddle top -- got hints of sausage, egg and pepper tastes on my french toast. My friend had the eggs and a side of veggie sausage, which I sampled and must say is the most convincing veggie sausage I've ever had. The owner was nice and friendly and the service was good for a crowded, cramped type place. I'm only disappointed in my french toast, so will give them another try and update you Yelpers then!
(3)
Xtine M.
First off, this place is a trap. I really wanted to try Ball Sq Cafe next door but there was such a long line that we decided to go next door to Sound Bites. Big mistake, no wonder there was no line there! Our food was just mediocre and the fact that we spent $3 on a cup of coffee that we had to serve ourselves was ridiculous. The food is overpriced despite the fact that quality doesn't appear to be their main focus. The bacon had a weird artificial taste to it, definitely the worst bacon that I've ever tasted. They seem like they want to get as many people in and out of there as quickly as possible. Next time, I'll just deal with the line at Ball Sq Cafe.
(2)
Lauren S.
So delicious! We didn't even have to wait in a long line which was apparently unusual for the place (says my Bostonian friend). I had banana chocolate chip pancakes with eggs, bacon, toast, and my friend and I split a fruit bowl Everything was really great plus the service was fast for how crowded the place was! I loved the atmosphere of Sound Bites. It felt cozy and the staff were all very nice. Next time I'm visiting my Bostonian friend, I will be going back to Sound Bites!
(5)
Andrew W.
Great breakfast food. The Broadway bowl is definitely the best call. The delivery is also worth it.
(5)
Andrew S.
But who is pancakes? You order mango & Banana pancakes and what you receive is 3 plain pancakes and Banana/Mango slices. Not ideal, yet not that expensive but that was pretty disappointing. Wasn't wanting to perform surgery on my food this morning, but it had to happen. The waitstaff was pretty attentive. Almost too attentive because at times we had 4 people one after another ask if we were ready to order. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food though. They also heavily advertise coming in and grabbing a coffee and not having to pay for it. Then it appears on your bill. I think I'd go back, wouldn't get the pancakes though, next time I'd say BYOB for the Irish Coffees.
(2)
Jade B.
After living right up the street, I finally tried Sound Bites yesterday. It was pretty packed for 11am on a Thursday morning. My boyfriend and I both ordered bloody mary's. Not the best, but not bad. I was blown away when our plates came, though! Boyfriend had a mexican omelette. It was huge, with a bagel and home fries. It took me forever to decide what I wanted, but I went with the tomato, basil, scallion omelette with pepperjack cheese. It was HUGE. I didn't even finish the omelette, took two bites of the home fries, and didn't even touch my toast and I was stuffed. Everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. I'd give them 5 starts, but service was slightly slow, and the prices were a little high (but worth it for a filling breakfast!!). I will return again.
(4)
Kayla V.
My boyfriend and I from austin TX came to visit his hometown this weekend. This cozy joint was one of the handful of restaurants that he said we had to come to. A lot has changed in the last eight years, according to Gregg... But only for the better! He says they have always had the freshest fruit, and they still do years later. I had the ricotta stuffed French toast and LOVED it! The portions are huge. Everyone at the restaurant was helpful... From the waiter to the bus staff and the owner who was available and very sweet to talk to! Highly recommended and hope to come back over the weekend!!
(5)
Jennifer C.
Just as I remembered!! Recently ate here after a long hiatus. Ate here religiously when I was in college and living nearby. Never thought twice about waiting in those long lines to get in-the food was always worth it. I am happy to say that all these years later, it still is wonderful!! I had the eggs benedict with avocado and tomato-yummy, rich hollandaise sauce and perfectly poached egg. And the home fries.. still some of the best I have had! Friendly staff and great, cozy vibe. What a great trip back to Sound Bites and down memory lane! Will not let all that time go by again before returning.
(5)
Alyssa O.
Soundbites is awesome. Food is always amazing and the owner Yasir is a charm to be around. Love this place
(5)
Phillip M.
Sound bites is ok - their food is great but the service and atmosphere is lame. With the Davis/ball square area being the brunch capital of somerville, you can probably do better.
(3)
Laurie B.
I ate here 3 years ago and got the Breakfast Bowl. It..was..amazing. The end. I can't wait till next time I'm in Somerville to have it again. Also, I love the do it yourself drink station.
(5)
Ariel Z.
Love this place! This is my new go-to spot for brunch near my residence. There is sometimes a line outside, but it moves quickly and if you are in a 2+ group, it may take longer. The menu has your standard breakfast items, my favorite of which is the seasonal pumpkin pancakes. I have mixed feelings about the "serve yourself" drink station, but it is nice that you don't have to bother flagging down the waiter/waitress for more water and coffee. Also, bottomless coffee is pretty awesome. I will keep coming back here again and again, that's for sure.
(4)
Keiko K.
I used to be a regular at Sound Bites years ago and loved it. I can't recall if I stopped eating there after I developed an allergy to garlic (and therefore their breakfast potatoes) or if it was just moving on to other breakfast spots that had shorter lines and were tastier. I had no been there in years until I went this past Saturday after a friend told me she goes regularly and loves it. We were initially seated next to the "window" which is actually a garage door through which cold air was pouring through the cracks. I told my friends I was too cold and wanted to move so we asked for a new table and were able to get farther into the restaurant. I ordered the asparagus & tomato eggs benedict + prosciutto, MINUS the tomato. When I told the waitress my order she repeated it back to me and appeared to be writing it down. When my order arrived there was tomato on it. I sent it back to the kitchen with a guy who I believe was the owner. He apologized but when it came back within minutes I wondered to my friends if they had made it fresh (seemed impossible) or simply removed the tomato. Partway through my meal I found some tomato on the eggs benedict. So, if you have an actual allergy you probably need to specify that. (I am not allergic to tomatoes, I just don't like them.) One of my friends noticed that the waitress never apologized for the error. The prosciutto was so hard I had trouble chewing it but having sent my food back once already I was too hungry to send it back again so I ate it anyway. The review gets 2 stars because the eggs (though small) were both perfectly poached (which is not always the case with eggs benedict) and the asparagus was well cooked and sliced a reasonable size. My friend and I also asked for 2 speciality pancakes - one chocolate chip and one pumpkin. It was our mistake to assume we would be charged the price on the menu for a side of 2 pancakes ($4.99). We were charged $3 each for pancakes that weren't very good. We should have confirmed the price but the waitress also didn't tell us and it was not listed on the menu as far as we could tell. The pumpkin didn't have much pumpkin flavor and was very salty. The chocolate chip pancakes didn't have enough chocolate chips. But we were hungry so we ate them. My portion of the bill was $18 and it was not worth it at all. I could have gone to Commonwealth and spend the same amount for a far tastier meal for the same price or gone to Tatte or Magnificent Muffin and spent less than half that. Note that they are happy to make substitutions but they will charge you for any substitution. Also, drinks are still self-serve. I don't think I'll be back. :(
(2)
Christina C.
Excellent brunch! We came here for the first time today and were very impressed by the wide selection of brunch and lunch offerings. The restaurant is very clean and sleek on the inside, a bit of a surprise from the outside. The owner (I think) came over to speak with us personally, ask about our meal, and chat about the neighborhood. He recommended another restaurant across the street and complimented their food, which I thought was very classy and shows a lot of mutual respect for the other restaurant owners in the community. We had the blueberry banana pancakes and a smoked salmon omelet, both excellent and served in very generous portions. The only drawback was that the service was confusing - we were never spoken to or served by the same person more than once. Servers did not appear to have assigned tables or sections but rather floated around and all took care of everyone. It made it confusing to know who to ask for water or to give our order. All in all, a positive experience with delicious food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere - exactly what you want in a Sunday brunch.
(4)
Vivian C.
Sound Bites is located right next to Ball Square Cafe, and before this meal, neither doorway had I ever darkened. For a Saturday brunch around lunch time, we arrived to find a rather long line outside that of Ball Square Cafe, while that before Sound Bites was near nil. Did those in the significant queue know something I knew not? I took a peek through the window of each - oh, Ball Square Cafe is relatively narrow and deep, while Sound Bites seemed perhaps twice the size. Could that explain it? Anyhow, not realizing that the two individuals standing outside of Sound Bites WAS the line, we entered the restaurant only to be rightly asked to wait outside in the line. After a party of 3 which arrived after us was seated, and the party of two ahead of us as well, we became the line. Another pair entered the establishment as we had earlier, but they were immediately seated! Surprised, I comforted us with the thought that we did not really want to sit right near the entrance anyhow, however, I would have appreciated an apology from the lady handling the seating for the error. That we did not receive, but at least we were seated at one of their taller tables for two shortly thereafter. From there, our experience improved. As per the menu, we helped ourselves to mugfuls of the liquid of choice from the selections set in the far right corner of the cafe and ordered several items from the high carb sweet options of the menu to share between the two of us. As a friend had recommended their waffles, we opted for the caramelized apple cinnamon $9.99 with the marscapone cheese addition on the side. The waffle was tender throughout, and topped with an acceptable mound of the tasty tender sweet apple pieces. It was quite good, only to be improved if the waffle were to be crisper on the surface while still tender within. I could not resist the opportunity to try their pancakes since theirs had been "recommended by Boston Magazine," and so we added a side of 2 for $4.99 rather than the entree portion of 3 for $6.99 for their pumpkin version. Fluffy, soft, tender, and a significant size. Yup, quite good! And last but not least, the Cereal Walnut Almond French Toast caramelized blueberry and marscapone cheese $10.99, which came 4 thick half slices to the plate. This had no need of additional sugar in the form of the syrup that sat at our table. I enjoyed the textural differences in this dish, and found it funny that the bananas had been tinged blue by the berries. But oh, our eyes were indeed bigger than our stomachs, and another belly could have potentially been filled by the remainder. Service could have been a tad improved as it was only near the end of our meal that we were asked how things were. Fortunately things were fine and we had not been looking for service since we were each responsible for our own refills on drinks. For full disclosure, this meal was on the house as recompense of a poor meal experience previously received by my DC. Upon redemption of the courtesy meal, the owner checked on us personally and was gratified that my DC's impression of the cafe and its food had been much improved this time around. He also offered us a free drink from their bar. We opted for the mimosas, which I suspect was light on the alcohol since I'm normally turned red by a single glass of wine (Asian flush), but was just fine this time around. Street parking wasn't easy with it being permit parking on the side streets, but we managed!
(4)
N. C.
Fantastic place. I love their potato mash. Frankly, I've tried the place next door and although they seem to have a similar menu, the food here is generally much better. Try the eggs Benedict, they are amazing! Also, you'll be impressed by the portion sizes and their fruit bowl!
(5)
adam b.
Awesome breakfast. Try the stuffed french toast - the one with pears and goat cheese was (dare I say?) "da bomb". Coffee's decent too.
(4)
Allison L.
I didn't really like the food. The home fries were weird and under cooked. Also, I could have stayed home to get up and pour my own coffee. The prices are okay, it was clean and had a good vibe. It is super easy to get to by public transit. The new parking rules in somerville make parking a challenge. I won't go back. It was just okay.
(2)
K E.
First let me say that I am truly bummed to be giving Sound Bites two stars. I'd heard only good things about it and, having lived in Somerville for far too long without checking it out, I suppose I had fairly high expectations. First, it's great that you can grab a coffee quickly when you arrive...but a drag that the coffee (at least what I had) was bitter and clearly had been sitting for a while. On recommendation, I had the pear-and-goat-cheese stuffed french toast, and my friend had the boursin and mushroom omelette. I was very surprised to find the french toast rather anemic-looking upon arrival; somehow it just looked limp and sad on the plate. I found it extremely skimpy on the goat cheese, and the pear, being unripe, was much too crunchy and lacked flavor. (If they can't get fresh pears out of season, they might consider rotating the fruit in this dish.) My friend's omelette was okay, not fabulous. But seriously, what is up with those potatoes? Are they really calling those "home fries"? They are a block of instant mashed potatoes, crisped up a smidge on the outside. My friend and I poked our forks at it and looked at each other, puzzled. Just...odd. All this said, the menu is broad and many other things sound appealing, so I might go back again to see if it was a bad day or not the best dishes. But based on that one visit, not feeling the love. The one thing I'll say is that going on a weekday seems to eliminate the legendary rushing about which many have complained. We took our time and it was no problem.
(2)
Josephine P.
When I moved into Somerville the question I asked everyone I knew who lived in the area before was "where is your favorite place to eat" and pretty much all the time, the response was Sound Bites. I was sold. I went on a Friday night with my old roommates and we had high hopes. That's our fault; this review is by no means in reflection of our ridiculously high expectation and the restaurant's inability to fulfill those preconceptions. I mean a good meal is a good meal, we weren't going to be picky about silly things. I ordered the waffle, which was ok, I personally don't have a waffle maker so I'm sure I couldn't do better. But for 1 waffle the size of your hand to be $6 with no sides or anything, it was a pretty sad dish and an even sadder decision on my part. My roommate ordered the portobello omelette and was horrified by the amount of oil that oozed out when he sliced into it. Even my boyfriend who will pretty much eat anything was a little disturbed by the heart palpitations he got after eating a couple of bites. I have always stood by sayings like: "butter makes everything better" and "the fattiest things have the best flavor" This was DEFINITELY not the case. It was just oil/butter that coated your mouth so you really couldn't taste anything else. Also, we ordered beers off the tap and they were flat. flat and stale. I am no beer expert, but I have been to a few brewery tours in my lifetime and I do know that flat beer on tap is a result of not cleaning your pipes every month. On a more positive note: My other roommate got the sausage plate and he didn't complain. So I guess the moral of the story is only get their meat selection. Maybe we went on an off day, or maybe the dinner cooks are not as good at the breakfast meals...I have no idea, but don't go at dinner.
(2)
Ann R.
Love, love, love this place! Everything here is amazing. I usually go with omelettes, but I haven't had anything bad here. Only downside is the line on weekend mornings.... but it does move pretty quickly, especially with all of the space in the current location.
(5)
Jessica T.
Excellent breakfast. The fresh fruit tastes just picked, the waffles - melt in your mouth, and well everything - basically goes down with lots of "This is so damn good" and " No really...this is sooooo good" - especially after a late night of boozing. Despite how quicly the breakfast goes down -the line to get in Sound Bites is usually painfully long. Sound Bites - is famous for its breakfast and it's the first thing many people think of when they want to nurse a hang-over or begin their Sunday. The owner is quirky and doesn't allow cell-phones or too much lingering over breakfast, but with breakfast this good - Sound Bites can get away with it, and adds to quaintness of the place. Hats off to owners -for taking a stance against those that feel it is their duty to enlighten every table two feet away on their crazy exploits the night before.
(5)
Casey F.
I have been going to Sound Bites for years. And for years, I've been a fan. They were efficient, fast, and the food was tasty. I didn't mind waiting in line - typically it moved fast. I like/LOVE the mashed potato home fries. The service was quick and usually with a smile. However. They recently moved into the space "El Guapo" occupied for a brief time. Sure, my BF and I were seated sooner than we would have at the old place... but no one came to take our order. 20 minutes later, I had to flag down the busboy, who got the owner, who then took our order. He sent over some fresh fruit (delicious) to make up for it. Considering they just moved into the new space, I could forgive the lax service and slow food delivery. Another However. We returned a month later. The waitress took her time taking our order. My side of home fries arrived. Yum! The rest of breakfast must be on its way, right? Wrong. My BF received his food 20 minutes later... and then 15 minutes after THAT, I got mine. Sound Bites, you served me well in the past. Until you figure out how to serve more people, I can't say that I'll be back. :-(
(3)
Melody A.
For the price you pay, you get a HEAPING of food! I was lucky enough to go here during the week, not when it's crazy busy. I got one of their ginormous omelettes. artichoke hearts, tomatoes and jack cheese with the hash on the side, which is like fried mashed potatoes,very good. Their pumpkin spice coffee was also delicious. Perfect for when you're REALLY hungry for breakfast!
(5)
Kira D.
I ventured to Ball Square one recent Sunday morning for brunch at Sound Bites, and I was definitely not disappointed. Approaching the place, there was a huge line out the door (to be expected around 11:30 AM), but since it was only me and a friend, we were seated right away. From then on, it was a definite theme there that you move fast and keeping things moving. The menu looked extensive and had a lot of different options (many different eggs bene and omelet combos). We ordered quickly- shared the pear and goat cheese stuffed french toast (oh so delicious) and the eggs benedict with spinach instead of ham. It was tasty, but too much hollandaise smothered everything, and the sauce wasn't the best ever. the fried mashed potato brick is deliciously garlicy and flavorful, but not really what i wanted for brunch. The self-service beverages doesn't really save much time, since the line was huge and carrying them back to your seat amongst crowds of people is a little obnoxious. Not to mention you tip them based on drinks you fetched yourself, which is a little uncool. Coffee was pretty weak, too. After eating, and trying to grab our waiter, which could have been 5 different people at any one time, we quickly paid. We lingered for a few moments to finish coffee and it was obvious the waitress wanted to clear away our cups so bad. All in all, the service is friendly and efficient, but this isn't the place to relax and have a leisurely brunch on a Sunday morning. If you just want to have a quick bite that is both very delicious and reasonably priced, then Sound Bites is your place.
(4)
Juli I.
I've never had a meal I didn't love here. That said, nearly every meal has included at least one Wonder Waffle with fruit. But I don't think that should negate my first statement. I love the coffee bar. I'll happily serve myself a cup of my favorite flavored coffee, will unlimited refills, any day over waiting for a harried server to remember to offer a warm-up from the pot she's been carrying around for 10 minutes. I will say that we don't bother coming on weekends any more. I just don't have the patience for the wait. This is a surprise-opportunity-for- weekday-brunch sort of spot for us...but no less well loved for it.
(5)
Guy C.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed Also, the atmosphere is completely cool and easy going. love this place. Always top-notch service. I have eaten a lot of diner breakfasts in my life, but for lots of good reasons I keep coming back
(5)
Ilene F.
Here's the thing about the line. You go in, get your coffee, and have the bulk of the conversation you were going to have at the table outside in the sunshine. Once the weather starts to get cold, I have less tolerance for standing outside in line, but 8 months out of the year, I can deal with it. Their food is consistently good, and I've done the occasional substitution without any problem. They don't skimp on portions, and those homefries make it all worthwhile. By the time I'm done with the experience, I've had at least 3 cups of coffee, a complete conversation with whomever I'm with, and a content full belly.
(4)
Jonathan G.
I loved soundbites for its hasty/rude service and incredibly delicious food. They knew their food was so good that they could make you get in line, serve yourself coffee, sit you in lawn chairs, glare at you until you left, and you would still be grateful. Then they expanded. Maybe I was unlucky, but the service went from hasty and rude to nonexistent. We sat, and waited, and waited, and then our order was taken. And then we waited, and waited, and waited. And waited. Finally, food came, and then (definitely a first at soundbites) we had to wait for our check. Yes, the food was still amazing. But we were there for what must have been an hour and a half. Slow and neglectful definitely lacks the charm of quick and rude.
(3)
Krystle W.
It's great to see a business who hasn't given in to the mealy-mouthed, simpering "the customer is always right, no matter how rude they are" attitude so pervasive in modern businesses. Sound Bites is amazing - I have always found the owner to be engaging, pleasant, and full of personality. I'm guessing Deborah S. was sitting and taking up space for an impolite amount of time while the line of waiting customers was out the door. The food here is top quality, and the owner always remembers regular customers and makes it a point to say hello. He takes the time to personally inquire after his customers' satisfaction and is always very engaging. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends. A++
(5)
Ladyjane S.
I've been here twice this month and aside from my slightly undercooked Moroccan Eggs, neither myself nor my dining companions have been overly disappointed. The asparagus and tomato eggs benedict is AMAZING!! Plus they come with those insanely filling homefries/fried mashed stuff. The french toast really wasn't wonderful in my opinion...I kinda thought it was a bit dry as well and I ended up cutting the crusts off, which I never do. But, the fruit bowl is incredibly fresh and comes with a great variety of fruits including papaya, mango, kiwi, strawberries and they're all ripe and delicious! The fruit bowls are $5 but they are huge! Also, there's always been a line when I've come but I haven't waited more than 5 min. People move in and out of the place fairly quickly. Haven't been to the Ball Sq. Cafe next door but I might try that one next...
(4)
Jess K.
I know the food here is great and everything but I really dislike being rushed to order, rushed to eat, and rushed to get out. When I go out for a meal I like to be able to enjoy it and spend some time catching up with friends. So because of that I avoid this place and go down the street to Kelly's. They also have great breakfast and although it is always crowded they don't make you feel like your presence is a nuisance.
(2)
Sam S.
Most places "fruit" means faded melon, sad grapes and maybe a rubberized apple slice. At Sound Bites it's mango, papaya, kiwi, real apple, strawberry, happy grapes, whatever is ripe and real. This philosophy holds for everything they serve. The staff can be gruff, yes. But they care about the food. Your ego...not so much. If you need to feel special, go elsewhere. If you want and appreciate real breakfast, you'll be happy here.
(4)
Dessa R.
After a strong recommendation from my breakfast buff friend, I was dying to check this place out. I am a total weekend breakfast junkie because- well, breakfast is the meal I eat least often. After another semi-foodie friend seconded the notion of me going to eat at Sound Bites, I was sold. So I'm not the kind of reviewer that heavily factors in the non-food related issues in my star-ratings, but I do feel dutifully inclined to mention them to my dear readers. Parking is a nightmare, so be prepared to stalk people who look like they are returning to a car. The wait, like every other worthwhile breakfast in Boston, is long, but do-able. You can pretty much count on being seated with other people at large shapely tables with stools. The deco is very Dr. Suess, which I found to be pleasant. The service? Fast and efficient, and they do kind of rush you to finish up- but so what? They can rush me all they want, I am not leaving until I am damn well ready. My advice if this concerns you? Grow some thicker skin, or eat faster! Now, the important stuff. The food. I had the notorious goat cheese and pear stuffed French toast. It was pretty good, but not mind-blowing. My companion had the tomato and avacado eggs benedict, which he enjoyed. I liked that they had creative combinations in their breakfast items, but they have a little work ahead of them to push my 3.5 star review into the 4 or 5 range. My conclusion- worth checking out at least once, but go with realistic expectations.
(3)
Erin G.
I want to give 3.5 stars! I've been here several times, most recently for dinner with my boyfriend. I ordered a hamburger and I think that he got an omelet. The food was fine, but my hamburger was not as stellar as my last breakfast there (a waffle covered in fruit) and frankly, I've gotten better burgers for $10.
(3)
Megan R.
My friend and I haven't seen each other in a while and decided to try out Soundbites. First of all for a Saturday I was able to find parking almost right away on Broadway and we got a table super fast. The menu was vast and if you can't find something on it you would like you can count yourself as picky! I got a breakfast special-Portebello Mushroom, Goat Cheese and Tomato Omlet servered with a side of delicious mashed potatoes! What a nice change from home fries or hashbrowns. They also served us a complimentary plate of fresh fruit. Since we were catching up I was very pleased that they didn't rush us. The only downside is that the gentleman who was clearing our plates at the end kept interrupting our conversation to insert "witty" comments while clearing. That was a bit annoying, but otherwise I give it 4/5 stars and would definitely go back!
(4)
Babs P.
I live by this place, so i know some of the tricks of the trade: a) don't go on the weekends, just go somewhere else. it's way too long of a wait and you'll be rushed thru breakfast, which may result in a tummy ache. b) go for breakfast, not brunch. the earlier, the better the service. c) go when you're craving pancakes or french toast. that's what they're known for. my fave dish is the 2 cubed because you get eggs, bacon, and pancakes with 3 types of berries. d) don't go with a large group. they just don't have the space. it's better for a group of 4 or less people. e) be nice to the waitstaff. if you follow the above recommendations, they'll give you decent service.
(3)
Kevin A.
NOT FOR THE CLAUSTROPHOBIC Sound Bites does a great job with hearty, "stick to your ribs" favorites likes eggs benedict, corned beef hash, and waffles in a mom-and-pop, greasy spoon type of setting. They also have some interesting offerings like smoked salmon eggs benedict, crab benedict, and a spicy dish called Moroccan eggs. If you're looking for a leisurely brunch with attentive service, this isn't the place for you. With limited seating and a consistently long line, the servers rush to get you in and out. Also, if you're even a little claustrophobic you should stay away. The tables are so close together that you'll literally be rubbing elbows with the table next to you and good luck getting out if there's a fire. All in all, I'd go back as long as the line isn't too long (6 people in front of you = 20 minute wait). Also, the wait should be getting shorter very soon as they're expanding into the restaurant space next door.
(4)
Jordan H.
Consistently serving the best breakfast in town. I've been coming here for years and don't regret it for a second. I recommend the green omelet with cheddar cheese and sesame bagel. The self-serve coffee is also awesome because when you want another cup, you don't need to wait for a server.
(5)
JeNnIfEr S.
Like John R. below, I to enjoy the self serve coffee / beverage bar.... as well as the 'to-go' cups they have out. Four Stars for that alone! I come here fairly often, however, I always get the Scone Plate. It's yummy! The hashbrowns are good as well. Check it out! This place can get pretty crowded so you may want to avoid peak eating hours!
(4)
A G.
Great food . Great service . Must try the french toast stuffed with goat cheese and pear. The lines on weekend mornings can be a little long but I never had to wait too long. Drinks are for serve yourself with choices of various coffee flavors, tea etc.
(4)
Jenny P.
My friend who is new to town had told me this place was great for breakfast. So a couple of us went last weekend. The food was fair at best and the owner/waiter was a nightmare. I think if there was a definition of rude in the dictionary, he would be pictured next to it. In addition, we were trying to pay for our meals, but the old man taking our money and could not even understand enough english to process the check correctly. So unless you want to experience rude behavior first hand, I would definitely not recommend this place.
(1)
Charoline D.
Why are people so surprised when breakfast joint waitstaff aren't friendly? My roommate introduced me to this place this morning while I attempted to wake up from my alcohol induced coma. Or maybe in that case, it's more of a self induced coma, no? I would've preferred to end up somewhere we could eat outside on such a day as this, but the food was good, the service was quick, I wanted good eggs, and I got good eggs. I was impressed with my avocado/jack/tomato omelette, as it's similar to one that I make home, sub pepper jack for their regular jack. The avocado was fresh and they didn't scrimp on it. I like an omelette bursting with items, possibly poking through that thin little eggy layer to the point where it's more a pile of toppings bonded together with egg than anything else. The menu touted some equally delicious omelettes including a tuscan omelette with fresh mozzarella and tomato and an interesting adaptation on eggs benedict sub avocado for canadian bacon. I pretty much will put avocado on anything and find it fabulous. As mentioned in previous reviews, the waitstaff isn't particularly friendly, but anyone who has been in food service would understand the dynamic of a popular breakfast joint with limited seating. You're going to make more money turning your tables over than giving awesome service to someone who's spending at the most $25 on breakfast. So wait, that works out to a $4 tip IF someone is feeling generous. Put yourself in those shoes, I'd rather feed people and get them the F out of there than have them sitting there wasting my time making small talk about the sox game. Most people don't put much value on breakfast either and are more inclined to tip less than they might at lunch or dinner. One gentleman who was presumably a manager/head waiter was more than accomodating, rushed, but kind. Overall, I was more than surprised and will definitely be back.
(4)
Caitlin W.
I want Sound Bites to be good, I really do. Everyone else I know really loves it. This morning I ordered Banana Blueberry pancakes and my boyfriend ordered Strawberry pancakes. We got them delivered because it's a snow day. I was utterly disappointed with them. They were chewy, all the blueberries were clumped on one half of the pancakes and there were hardly any bananas. The same goes for my boyfriends pancakes, there were only 3 strawberries on each pancake. Oh I also ordered a cappuccino (I know risky for delivery but I needed my morning coffee) and it didn't even have any foam, it's not a cappuccino without foam. Overall very disappointing would not recommend it.
(2)
Andrew N.
While visiting the greater Boston area, my dear friend took me to this place raving about it. Especially the home fries. Damn those home fries; they really are something else. I've never had home fries like this--they're sort of like mashed potatoes, but with a nice crunchy outer crust 'cause they put it on the flattop grill. It's quite delicious what with the savory flavor and the different textures creating a wonderful sensation in your mouth. It's like a party! And they're good with maple syrup. Sort of a sweet and savory mixture that's a great match. Or maybe I'm just weird like that. Along with the side of home fries, I also ordered a Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern combo plate because I wasn't feeling too breakfast-y. It consisted of a chicken kabob, mujadra, stuffed grape leaves, flat bread, and a side salad. The chicken was succulent, and not dry- I cannot tell you how many times I have had grilled chicken that's dry as the Sahara. But not at Sound Bites-- again it was succulent, and the smokey flavor was the hot ticket indeed! I never had mujadra, and found out that it was a purplish/blueish rice with a yogurt based sauce on top. I liked it, as the rice was chewy and nutty, in a brown rice sort of way, and the yogurt sauce was rich and tangy. I love things with a tangy kick. And speaking of tangy, the stuffed grape leaves where tangy indeed! Like a kick-too-the-face tangy! The mouth-puckering intensity might be a bit too much for some, but it was right on the button for my gastronomical sensibilities. Oh, and I had a Bloody Caesar. It's like a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato instead of tomato juice. Mhmmm....quite delicious. Like a chilled soup with a kick. With that being said, Sound Bites does have a nicely stocked bar and beer selection, which I found to be interesting and awesome since it is a diner-like establishment. Never seen a bar at a diner before. These guys know what's up, and what's up is beer on tap and a mean cocktail! Stop by and check this place out if you haven't done so already. And make sure you sure you try those home fries. Good as hell!
(4)
Phil W.
What's everyone's biggest complaint? That the staff are rude, and will kick you out if you take too long with your meal. And it's true - if you're looking to have a long, lazy brunch on the weekend, Sound Bites just isn't the place. God help you if you take out a newspaper and start reading when there's a line out the door. But if you can accept that it's an eat-quick-and-get-the-hell-out place, or you can make it there on a weekday, then it's awesome. Best home fries I've ever had. I usually go with the Green Eggs No Ham (hollandaise and spinach - is there anything better?) or the Golden Grill (mmmm, corn muffin...). I went there today for lunch with a friend, and they brought his meal out first, and then mine came probably 10 minutes later. That's never happened to me there before, but I was still pretty annoyed. I politely asked if my food was coming, and when they finally brought it out, they also gave us some free fresh fruit to make up for it. So, not so bad. And the more people bitch about Sound Bites and say they'll never go back, the shorter the line will be next time I go. Bitch away, peoples!
(4)
Tad B.
Best breakfast in a 20 mile radius. Worth the wait (often lines out the door). Worth the drama (ask Yasser what he thinks of his neighbor). I go all the way to Somerville from the 'burbs just to have their food. Favorite is the two-cubed royale. Two eggs your way, two pancakes (best are chocolate banana) of your choice, two pieces of meat (turkey sausage!), and some bread. Ridiculously good. Now I'm hungry.
(4)
Jake M.
Let's see... I will have, um, the vitriol omelet, with a side of spite and a glass of ire. Cheers. Look, we neither of us are doing ourselves any favors here, Sound Bites. For one thing, I assure you I'm not doing you any great favor by patronizing your reasonably sound (heh) if mostly unremarkable breakfast establishment. It's quite an uncomplex equation we are talking about here: I sit, you cook, you serve, I eat, I enjoy, I pay. This is the business we are engaged in here. Except that somewhere along the way the penultimate term somehow gets lost, almost without fail. So on the flip side, you are not doing yourselves any favors by treating diners like a nuisance, that YOU are somehow doing us a great favor by deigning to serve us. I get it: cramped quarters + teeming hordes of Tufts kids + weekend mornings = breakfast Armageddon. I know it's a war of attrition of turnover versus satisfied diners, but it's so skewed in the direction of the former, that it's no small wonder you stay in business. And the cure is so simple. If not a smile (which I guess would be asking too much) then at least don't let's have a tug of war over my plate. Here's a hint: I'm done when the food is gone. The continued popularity in the face of such horrendous, almost antisocial service and underwhelming food simply confounds me. The investment here - 1 hour wait/5 minute "meal" - is simply untenable. Lincoln was wrong: you can, apparently, fool all the people all the time. Bite me, Sound Bites!
(1)
Amy E.
Tuscan Omelette = Incredible! Portabella, roasted red peppers, basil and fresh mozzarella...are you salivating yet? I am. I wasn't too thrilled with the potatoes that came with it, but ravenous as I had been, I was so satisfied by the time I finished the omelette that I had little room in stomach for them anyway. As for service, our food came out at all different times, which was kind of frustrating because the restaurant wasn't very busy and, though starving, I felt compelled to wait 15 minutes for my dining companions to get their food (apparently I do have manners). They did try to compensate with complimentary fruit plates though, and I give them props for putting up with a bunch of inebriated customers on a rainy Sunday afternoon!
(3)
Fernando A.
This is the place for an omelet in Boston. I have been to a few other places and this is still the best. Anticipate a line and relax when you get there. You can grab a coffee while you are waiting which makes it more tolerable. I would say that it is a bit cramped but I think it adds to the ambiance. If you are looking for a good breakfast spot then you have found your place in the Ville!
(4)
Matt n Chris M.
Found this place by reading another Yelp review. The Cream cheese & Fig French toast sounded too good to pass up so we had to check out. Little bit of a line when we first got there but they quickly got us seated. Well .... technically they tired to seat us w/ another couple, but I guess they weren't havin it and they never came to sit w/ us. Booooo!! their loss.. Anywho, we sat down and instantly received a plate fresh fruit, on the house! I had the fig french toast (obviously) and my husband had an omelet w/ artichokes in it. Wow!!! His was good.. but man, my french toast was off the hook!! We loved it so much we came another night, and even thought it was dinner time/ with a dinner menu the owner (I'm assuming that's who he was) was really awesome in sayin "No problem guys!!" and made us breakfast. Overall a great place to eat!! Go check it out. ;)
(5)
Julia F.
If you don't mind being elbow to elbow while enjoying breakfast, then... this is the place for you. Like any other good breakfast place in the area, it's got a long line on the weekends, but if you can wait - it's really worth it. The staff are really nice, in my experience, and I've not even waited that long to get a seat, cause along with the good food and quick service, they try to get you in and out as quickly as possible - so don't expect to sit there and digest! The only thing that I don't really like, well, I'm on the fence about it: self - serve drinks. The place is so crowded that I feel like I'm going to go tripping into somebody's table and upset a breakfast or three onto myself and others. I really like the french toast, the coffee is really not anything to write home about... But if you are confused about what to order, just ask about things and you'll be directed to several different options that all sound really yummy, and believe me, they all are!
(4)
Kyle M.
Fantastic Service - Personable, Quick, Great food!!! Can't wait to go back
(4)
Marisa A.
BEWARE this place: I'd give it 4 stars if it weren't for 1 thing: fraud. The past 3 times I've been to Sound Bites, they changed the prices on the bill without notice AND once they included what turned out to be a ~$9 tip without labeling it (good thing we actually read our check carefully, there were 5 of us that time). One of these times includes at the newly expanded Sound Bites. When I called the owner on it, he had the nerve to say to me once (and I quote exactly), "Fruit is expensive." wtf?! Then change the damn price on the menu. The other time we called him on it he just said, "oh" and changed it (that was on 2 orders of Boston's Best Blue). Other than that, I do love the challah french toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream. In conclusion: pretty good food, but read your check carefully! and they take credit cards now.
(2)
Molly S.
I've only been here on weekdays before work and had the place to myself. I had super-filling egg dishes, coffee and juice. Staff was very friendly... I didn't really know the routine, but managed to get my food without looking like a jerk. Managed to get in for a sit-down breakfast and to work on time without any hassle. Definitely try it out on a weekday (make the effort). This place is always super-crowded on the weekends, I never made it in for social hour with all of Somerville.
(4)
Amanda A.
Great self-serve coffee, lovely bounty of fruit atop waffles and french toast. Awesome service, despite the jam-packed, crazy-busy atmosphere. Make sure you go with a friend or a small group of friends. Lots of smiles and happy people laughing and communicating loudly over brunch. Go here for tasty portions that require a forklift.
(4)
Claudia Z.
We use to go to Sound Bites about 8 years ago. It was good back then. We went again Sunday 10/23/11 and had an awful breakfast experience. My daughters pancakes were overcooked. She was nice enough to eat them. I received the wrong order so I sent the pancakes back. The second order was under cooked. I sent the pancakes back again. The third time around I didn't want to eat the awful food as everyone else at my table had just about finished their food! The owner was mad that we took so long to eat the awful food and was talking about us to the other customers seated right next to us....saying nasty things and waving his hands around toward us with a demon expression on his ugly mug. What a miserable man. I approached him and he had the nerve to say I didn't know you received the wrong order. He didn't even apologize. He was belligerent!!!!! He seriously needs to be sprinkled with kindness that can be translated into good customer service. Doubtful with that ugly mug! Sent from my iPad
(1)
Leigh c.
Here's why Sound bites gets 5 stars. I lived one block away when i lived in Boston. This made it the most convenient place to get breakfast potatoes that were really mashed potatoes (huge fan!) every weekend without having to even change out of pajamas really. And building upon this positive...let's just say, there were times that even living a block away, I barely made it back to the apartment *in time*...if you know what i'm sayin...then you've been to Sound Bites. If i lived any farther away, it might be a few less stars, but since I was close enough to avoid any post-Soundbites *accidents* - FIVE STARS baby!!!
(5)
Jenny G.
Sound Bites is by FAR the best breakfast place I've ever been to. I moved out of Somerville two years ago, bust still travel back for Sunday brunch rather than endure the sub par joints in Central Square. Everything here is fantastic, from the unbeatable home fries to the generous fruit bowls to the creative omelets and all the other menu items. My personal favorite is the Cereal Walnut Almond French Toast, I'd reccomend that to anyone!
(5)
Meghana P.
It was my second trip to this place and the food was just as good as the first time. The line looked long (maybe 15-20 people ahead of us) but moved quickly, so we only waited about 10 minutes. We loved that you can get coffee from inside while you wait in line, too! I ordered the Artichoke Eggs Benedict. It was amazing - the tang from the artichokes went well with the fresh tomato and the creamy hollandaise sauce. Eggs were cooked perfectly as were the double-toasted English muffins. The hash browns were phenomenal - like mash that had been fried on the top and bottom. My one friend got the Belgian Waffle with fruit and the other got the Avocado omelet. They both enjoyed the dishes. Great coffee selection, too. All of the staff were super friendly, the place just felt like home!
(5)
Jessica C.
Had an amazing time today at sound bites. Surrounded by an incredible team, with great hospitality, such an affordable price for amazing food. Me and my boyfriend had a blast! Already planning our next brunch/ breakfast date we will not be strangers to them if your looking to have great breakfast surrounded by great people this is the place for you.
(5)
Yadira R.
Growing up we always heard about the long lines at Sound Bites and having recently visited after so many years, I see why the lines are still long. It was a great breakfast! They have so many delicious and unique options considering it's a blend of American and Middle Eastern cuisine. We tasted the Stuffed French Toast with Nutella, Strawberry's and Bananas, grilled corn muffin, egg whites with ham and their famous "No Place Like Home Fries." These Home Fries are seasoned to perfection and have a mashed potato like consistency with a crisp exterior. Very GOOD! Don't let the lines fool you because they move pretty fast. I still have mixed feeling about the self serve coffee station, but at the same time I get to try a variety. The staff is super friendly and to top it off, they let us take a cup of coffee to go. Somerville's gone through some changes in the last couple of years so it's always nice to support an original spot or institution as some like to say. Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(3)
Hilary L.
Sound bites is absolutely delicious. I drive all the way from Brookline to come eat a delicious breakfast. Their eggs Benedict is amazing and their fruit platters are so big!!!! Home fries are unbelievable. The only reason I didn't give a five star is because the coffee is horrible. It's over filtered and watered down. They need a complete new coffee company. Also, it's annoying to have to self serve coffee. It should just be part of the waiting service's responsibility. Overall though, the food is the main interest and it is AMAZING.
(4)
Hov H.
Been to soundbites countless times, and have never left disappointed. The food is delicious, and the wait staff is always friendly and upbeat. Do yourself a favor and try the French toast.
(5)
Debra L.
Just scrolling through the ratings, it's interesting to see that people either love or hate Sound Bites. As for me, if I'm craving breakfast, this is where it's at and it's absolutely worth the trek back to Somerville to get my Sound Bites breakfast favorites that have captured my heart, my stomach, and my loyalty for the past 5 years. My usual: Sausage, egg, and cheese croissant with a side of blueberry and banana pancakes. Yes, you can get a side of pancakes! It's perfect for people like me who are forever torn between sweet and savory during breakfast. And all of this and a full and happy belly for roughly $7. The sausage, egg, and cheese on croissant is pretty standard, but the pancakes are notable because I don't usually eat pancakes- in the war between pancakes and waffles, I have always been fiercely allied with waffles, but these pancakes are just so irresistibly loaded up with blueberry-banana-goodness that I don't even blink an eye at the waffles on the menu. Another favorite of mine is the Broadway Bowl, which is basically the contents of a giant breakfast burrito--home fries, tomatoes, pepper, onion, avocado, and cheese--layered in a seemingly bottomless bowl that defies the size of the average appetite. I like to get the Broadway Bowl with a side of sausage just because I love breakfast sausage/meat in general. Clearly, people either love it or hate it, the reviews are totally polarized, so my advice would be to give it a try and decide for yourself. After all, if you find that you love it like I do, it'll be totally worth it to find what could be beloved breakfast spot and if you don't, what's one meal in the grand scheme of things.
(5)
Jocelyn F.
I finally made it to Sound Bites yesterday after a friend recommended it to me. I went during the week because the crowds waiting outside the restaurant are unbelievable on the weekend. I believe we were greeted by the owner. we were seated and our order was taken by him. our food came very quickly. i got a belgian waffle and my son got choco chip pancakes and we both got bacon. the food was delicious! the restaurant is very neat and clean. i would have given a 5 star rating but though the restaurant was not busy or crowded, our waiter/server never checked in with us to see if we were enjoying our meal or if we wanted anything more. my tip reflected that as well. I would go again though as the food was really good. if i experience the same service i will definitely complain.
(4)
Kai M.
Popular breakfast spot with a great menu. From the omelettes to the french toast, Sound Bites pretty much has it all. Everything is solid. I am a personal fan of the self-service drink station, which has available a variety of drinks that you take and they charge you for later. The restaurant is not small but still gets crowded on weekend mornings; do not be fooled, as the line moves quickly.
(4)
Nicole B.
Sound Bites has quite the quirky set up, but hey it works! I would give Sound Bites 3.5 stars. This is the first breakfast joint that I've been to with DIY coffee. Instead of the servers continually refilling coffee cups there is a coffee bar area where you can pick what you want. This has its pros and cons: pro custom drinks, con: creates a hectic dining room. My eggs were a solid choice and I tried the triple berry pancakes that were savory and sweet. The turnover was pretty quick and the line moved fast even though the restaurant was packed on a Sunday morning.
(3)
G G.
As a Somerville resident for the past few years, I've always seen the long lines that gather outside of Sound Bites and always heard good things about the restaurant's brunch so decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I still don't get what all the hype is about with this place. Menu: Sound Bites has a great brunch menu. Our tabled ordered the Challah French Toast and the Triple Berry Cakes which were delicious. We also ordered the Avocado and Tomato Eggs Benedict and the Asparagus and Tomato Eggs Benedict which were just ok: nothing spectacular or special. Beverages: Water, coffee, juices, etc. are self-served which is totally fine and in my opinion efficient. Service: Pretty quick and efficient but seeing that they only take your order and deliver your food, I think tipping 15% is fine since they don't bring you drinks, refill them, or even check-in to see how you're doing. Ambiance: relaxed, casual, and the feeling of a local neighborhood joint. Customer service: Needs some work. My friend's pant leg touched the bottom of the table and ended up having gum on her dry-clean only pants. When we informed the staff and asked if they could cover the bill of getting it cleaned, they took on a defensive position saying it wasn't their fault that customers stuck gum under the tables and that they "couldn't control what customers do." There wasn't even a "I'm sorry this happened" or "Have a free coffee on us" it was just: "Not our fault." My friend ended up going to the back of the restaurant where they luckily were able to use Windex to remove the gum but the point is we were frustrated with the way the management company reacted to the situation. Sensing our reaction, the management offered free mugs (not any, just the yellow ones) to my friend but at that point we just wanted to leave since we could smell the Windex. And, we still ended up paying a full bill with tip. Overall: I would have left this place with four stars and as a returning customer but now all I can associate eggs benedict with is the smell of Windex and it makes my stomach churn. There are other places to get brunch in the area with GOOD customer service.
(3)
G B.
Hands down best breakfast in the area my favorite is the strawberry and banana stuffed french toast. I've had the burger, steak tips, soups and salads and never had a bad meal or experience there. Cudos to management for they're attention to detail and customer service, I love this place and so I'm giving it a well deserved 5 stars. Thanks Sound Bites.
(5)
Garfield M.
The owner\manager is a legit thief , the food was somewhat ok but nothing to brag about. Yasser was trying to charge us for items that what we didn't even order, who does that!!! Smh. I will never GO to this pathetic place ever again and I also over heard the Owner talk shit about the customers in his restaurant bc they didn't like the food, I wonder why there's always a line in front of Ball Sq Cafe and not here. What a shame!
(1)
Kim A.
This is not our normal breakfast place, that would be the neighborhood. But when we're in the neighborhood and feel like changing it up this is where we go. We've never had anything here that we didn't like. We enjoy the French toast, the challah french toast, their grilled blueberry meal (blanking on what else it comes with),and their omelettes. Parking can be tough, look on the side streets or walk on over. Service is typically quick, friendly enough, and helpful. It is self service coffee and juice. They have non breakfast items if you want and also a bar.
(4)
Gerard D.
The best word to describe this little gem is... Home, a point driven home when you get up and walk over to the counter to help yourself to coffee, juice, and assorted beverages. If your a fan of eggs benedict this is the spot for you, have them one of a dozen different ways with a side of fried potatoes that every time I take a bite it is accompanied by the sound of angels singing in my ear. The line that forms is a visual queue that this place has a solid following and the food that awaits you will prove the wait to be well worth it.
(4)
Greg C.
We were visiting friends in the Boston/Cambridge area and came here for brunch on Saturday morning. First of all, I love the self serve coffee station. It is very nice to be able to get a variety of coffees and prepare them with a variety of creams and sweeteners yourself. The food was delicious. I had the Golden Grill, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a delicious, buttery, grilled corn muffin. The Hash Browns were delicious. They were more like peppery mashed potatoes with a crispy golden crust. For ten dollars it was a great deal and delicious. The waffles come piled high with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The omelets were fluffy and well filled. The only reason I took off a star was it was very loud to the point you can barely hear the people at your own table, probably due to the fact that the tables are extremely close together and really packed in there. Getting up to use the self serve coffee bar was a bit difficult because of that as well. In total, great place. If you happen to be in the Sumerville/Medford/Cambridge area, give it a try.
(4)
Abby R.
Sound Bites gets 5 stars from me because when they checked our ID's for mimosas the waitress noticed it was my boyfriend's birthday and they brought us out a blueberry muffin atop a mountain of fruit salad and whipped cream, complete with a little candle to blow out. At breakfast! And I didn't even give her the ole' nudge nudge "psst, it's his birthday" schtick. And they were packed. What a quality place, I thought to myself. Then the food came out and proved me right. I got the 2^3 (2 cubed) Royale (with cheese). It didn't come with cheese, but I still liked saying Royale. That entailed scrambled eggs, bacon, 2 hefty pancakes that I barely made a dent in, and toast. The eggs and bacon were nothing special as far as breakfast goes, but they were what I expected, which was hot and cooked right. The pancakes were a little on the thick side for me, but I'm quite particular about pancake density. I relished the home fries, which were not home fries at all but a huge lump of mashed potatoes that had been tossed on the grill. My mom used to do that whenever we had leftover mashed in the morning, but it wasn't just that they reminded me of the ole' homestead that made me like them. They were soft with a crispy crust here and there, and liberally peppered all the way through which is how I like all my food. I would come back here just for that hashy mash. The breakfast lines for this place are always out of control though.
(5)
AmyLynn A.
Took about 5 minutes to get someone to come over to us. He realized the wait was long and brought over a delicious fruit plate on the house. Our food came out as we got our coffee, so that was fast. My husband ordered an omelette with a side of hash and instead, got an omelette with hash inside. My avocado tomato and cheese omelette came loaded with diced tomatoes, one tiny clump of cheese, with half an avocado placed inside. No one came by to see how we were or what we might need, they just dropped off the check. Mediocre food, impersonal service. Next time we'll try the Ball Square Cafe next door.
(3)
sally d.
Long time since my last visit. Delicious as always ... Jimmy's Moroccan Eggs and the potatoes, please, so so good. Place looks great and clean. Service friendly and great... I was first customer of day, so no waiting!
(5)
Meron L.
By far the best breakfast/brunch place in miles, with the added bonus of excellent Middle Eastern food. The owner takes a personal stake in each patron's enjoyment and new customers are treated as well as regulars (and often become regulars). My particular favorite is the Ole Omelette, but as I have told everyone I have every brought here, theirs is a Can't Go Wrong menu.
(5)
Nisreen G.
Brunch. Breakfast. Beautiful. Pro tips: Stay away from the serve yourself beverages that are RIDICULOUSLY priced. ( unless those oranges we're squeezed in Florida this morning bring your price down) but great food. Rule of thumb for brunch: If you can make it at home, don't buy it. Soundbites is a lovely blend of the familiar and the extravagant at medium prices. A decent walk from the T but uber worth it and the wait. Much faster than the Ball Square Cafe place next door ( pretty sure the menu is the same) Manager was super friendly and brought over a complimentary fruit platter ( it had mango! yum) Get a grilled blueberry muffin for the road. Do it. I dare you.
(4)
Julie C.
Wait what? Why does this place get rave reviews and lines for days? To me, it's your standard breakfast joint. I don't eat waffles so I can't attest to that but I can say the fruit was not fresh and everything tasted mediocre at best. I have been here a few times and I always thought it was acceptable. But the last time I went there will probably be the last time I go there. Here's why: it was 7am on a random weekday and my manfriend and I decide to be fun and sit down for a nice, relaxing breakfast before jetting off to work.The place had just opened for the day, obviously, so they probably just wiped the table but the scent of some poisonous cleaning product was so strong I wanted to barf. It really ruined my appetite. On top of that, nobody came to greet us or take our order so we sat there for literally a lifetime. On top of that, the music was turned up to 11, playing Lady Gaga-like shi*tty club music. at 7am. On a weekday. The story ends with us paying for our blech coffee and getting breakfast at True Grounds across the street.
(2)
Alyssa D.
If my waist and my wallet could afford it, I would go to Sound Bites everyday and be perfectly happy. Almost every weekend we wake up and talk about Sound Bites. We have gone about ten times and have loved our meals every time. The hashbrowns are amazing and everything is always fresh and delicious!
(5)
Ben S.
My favorite brunch place in the area. Savory, sweet, coffee, they do everything right. The fruit in the fruit bowl & on the side is above average and the pear & goat cheese stuffed French toast is excellent, as are the egg options that come with grilled muffins.
(5)
First A.
We were seated right away. They go through the line asking how many in the party. Very efficient system, and appears a family run business. The service was fast. They bus food very good, and clear plates fast as well. There's a full, self-service coffee bar. Free coffee re-fills,...pretty awesome! The food was good and decent. It wasn't the best omelet I've ever had, but I would visit this place again. Reasonably priced menu.
(4)
Lauren P.
Look, I really did want to have a more positive experience my second time around. My boyfriend and I came to Sound Bites for brunch, which is what they are known for. My last experience at dinnertime wasn't so great, so I had great hopes that brunch would be better. Here's the deal: all the tables are crammed together so you can hear everyone else's conversations. Yes, they are a well-oiled machine in the kitchen, but it means you're in and out and the leisurely experience is lacking. I ordered an egg white omelette with asparagus and swiss. It came out oily AND watery and sat on my plate in a sort of weird puddle. I could only eat half. My boyfriend and I shared the apple pancakes were were pretty delightful, so kudos on that one. All in all I just really prefer the atmosphere at Ball Square Cafe. I think that it's worth the wait over there and the food and wait staff treat you like family instead of another group to get in and out as fast as possible. I wish I liked this place as much as other people!
(2)
Marcus J.
I'm a regular at soundbites and love the place. My favorite dish every weekend is the Morrocan Eggs with bacon, no onions and wheat toast. I leave happy everything I'm there.
(5)
Patti K.
Yasser was very welcoming from the moment we arrived. We were celebrating my son's graduation and his departure from the Boston Somerville area. Living there for 4 years he recommended we go and try for ourselves. He was right and we were pleasantly surprised with the wonderful menu options. We had a mix of breakfast and lunch. My husband said it was one the best burgers he ever had. I loved my omelette and home fries. We were treated to lovely fresh fruit and mimosas !!! It was a great dining experience and we are sorry we didn't get there in the 4 years my son lived there. We will go back though !!!!
(5)
Ryan D.
Sound Bites knows what's up when it comes to breakfast and brunch. They probably know what's up with lunch and dinner too but I haven't been at those times. I do think they have live music every once in a while but read other reviews to confirm. Breakfast is the most popular by far and my favorite place to go in the area for great value. You can tell just by the lines that wait outside of this restaurant versus Ball Square Cafe next door (and they have heaters under the awning). Ha! Portions are huge and when it comes to eggs, they are more like a vehicle or blanket for the delicious food inside. My new favorite is the mushroom and boursin omelet. Always ask for the grilled muffin, corn muffin is good but blueberry will always remain a favorite. And of course, the award winning hashbrown mashed potato block. Considered some of the best by Boston publications. One particular detail that comes to mind is the fruit bowl. It seems silly considering everything else on the menu but Sound Bites has paid attention to the detail here. They provide a lot of variation AND a lot of fruit. I've been to the place next door and the fruit bowl paled in comparison. At the end of the day, they have a lot of people to usher in and out but they're extremely efficient. Very nice to if you get the chance to speak with the founder or founder's brother. They do great business and it remains to be a local hot spot for a brunch at an incredible value.
(5)
Christie L.
Great breakfast place with an extensive menu. Many options including plates, omelets, waffles, and pancakes. Self-serve coffee/tea: There were many options for both. I tried the hazelnut coffee. It was watered down and I didn't taste a hint of hazelnut. I got one of the breakfast plates that included eggs, sausage links, french toast and wheat toast. No complaints here. It was a great hearty breakfast. I went with my roommates and the waiter split the bill for us automatically which was nice.
(3)
Andrew H.
I always expect a line, an somehow never wait. Food is amazing, service is fast and friendly. Definitely some of the best brunch around.
This place is a delight, it's my "happy place", makes me feel cuddly inside. I am particular about my food and they always accommodate me with no problem "Please hold the ____, and instead of ____, could you bring me some ____?" The answer is always "Sure, no problem." Food is SOLID, their omelettes are excellent and the ingredients are fresh. Great experience every time.
(4)
Juliet N.
More like a 2.5. This place was packed on a Sunday morning, but the line moved relatively quickly. I love breakfast and I was craving an egg sandwich. I got one on sourdough, but it was pretty small. They offer "home fries," which are like mashed potatoes with a crust. I like a crunchy potato option (French fries, hash browns, smashed potatoes) much more, but they had nothing like that so all I got was a sad little sandwich. Everyone I was with got large plates of food, omelets, eggs benedict, and such. They all enjoyed them but no one was overly impressed. Tables are close together, and it was really hot inside, to the point of being uncomfortable. This place is fine for a quick breakfast, but there are many others in the area or a short drive away so we will try one of those next time.
(2)
Catie C.
Finally, I had a opportunity to have a true brunch experience. I love the bottomless coffee mugs - the fact that I can choose my own color (self service drinks). It was definitely a sweet day. Had waffles, pancakes, and french toast. These were definitely much better choices than my first visit. I'm not a pig - I actually shared all this food! Each plate is a generous portion. I definitely can't finish a plate by myself. I do like their batter for pancakes and waffles. Topping it off with fresh fruits is even better! The girls are nice and friendly. Smiley faces makes brunch a much better experience along with Yassar, the nice and generous owner of Soundbites.
(4)
Ashlee A.
This place is absolutely wonderful! It's our go-to place for a late Sunday brunch and really nothing can beat it. The service is absolutely great and they are always willing to go out of their way to give us the best service possible all the time being open and friendly. The Breakfast Broadway Bowl is a real gem, the breakfast steak is to die for and the free assorted coffee is a huge plus. They have freshly squeezed orange juice waiting for you to grab in the giant coolers and it is super delicious. Also try a regular mimosa or a pear mimosa! We recommend this place to everyone who can read this post and give it a try! You will definitely not regret it!
(5)
Sarah Z.
I have given Sound Bites multiple tries. Each time I have eaten here, I have been very upset with the service. The owner yells as his employees in front of the customers, and the bus woman stack plates on your table to clear. They actually took dirty plates off of the table next to mine, placed them on top of my plate while they cleaned off the other table. Then proceeded to pick up the plates. It was very uncomfortable. This happened all three times I have given this place a shot. The servers were all kind, so that was a plus. The food was good too. I will stick with Ball Square.
(2)
Jen K.
I stopped in here for breakfast because I had heard it was good, and I've seen lines outside before, so I figured, why not? First my table was approached by one person, with a simple 'are you ready?' but we needed a little more time, so then 2 minutes later a different person comes up and just looks at me with a pencil pressed to his notepad. There is a little bit of that rushed breakfast joint atmosphere (even though there wasn't a line/wait) but no big deal, I'm not really bothered by that. They also have a self serve beverage system, so you get your own water, juices, and coffee. I don't mind that part, but I find the drinks overpriced. Orange juice for 4.25? Coffee (with refills, which I think should be standard for breakfast) is over $3? Then I got one of the breakfast plates - the 2^3 royale ($11.99)- 2 eggs, choice of meat, toast, and french toast or pancake. It was pretty good but I've had similar combinations that were more impressive and cheaper. Additionally, no one checked on us during the meal to see how everything was going. Then a different person cleared the table, and a different person dropped our check off. It's cool when a restaurant all works together but it felt more impersonal and the experience just wasn't welcoming in any sort of way. It wasn't a bad breakfast by any means, but for about $40 for two, when I'm serving myself the drinks, I think the price point is a little high given the service and the food. There are definitely better breakfast places in the area.
(3)
Meg K.
Soundbites brunch is always tasty, but not somewhere you want to go to have a leisurely meal. There is always a line on the sidewalk but it moves quickly. The downside to this is when you finally get a table, it's very rushed. They don't have time to take you drink order so you get it yourself. I think the menu might make up for it though! The scoop: Yummy food Fresh squeezed OJ You won't be here all day Know what you want and eat it Then get the heck out
(4)
Matt L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, fast service, help yourself coffee, and sometimes long lines on the weekend, then this is the place for you. The lines can be off setting by the neighboring breakfast joints. We came to the area for another restaurant, but the line was too long for our timeframe. So, we settled here, and it was awesome. No line here on that day, we got seated and had enormous portions come out very fast. We had a couple cups of coffee from their "coffee buffet" essentially, and we were on our way. If you don't mind helping yourself to coffee, you'll love this place. The breakfast bowl was enormous and I came with a huge appetite and couldn't quite finish all of it. We'll be back soon!
(5)
Sarah H.
Great spot for Sunday brunch! The self-serve coffee and tea bar is perfect for people who have unfortunate caffeine addictions--no waiting for a server to deliver it to you or get you refills. You have the freedom to get up and grab as much coffee as you want (or in my case, need)--they even have pumpkin spice coffee for those of us who whole heartedly embrace the flavors of fall. The menu has a ton of options-- from moist French toast and fluffy pumpkin pancakes, to omelettes with salsa cooked into the center. Don't expect to have the full attention of a waiter--they're busy and typically only take your order and deliver the food. But hey, that's why they have self serve beverages.
(4)
Corey L.
Went with my girlfriend around 1pm on a Saturday. We had to wait outside in line for about 5 minutes. Not bad. Faster than Ball Square Cafe next door. As per my prior visits, the service is fairly quick, though comes around at random times, water/coffee/tea are all self-serve, which I like, and the food comes out unbelievably quickly and is great. I had the stuffed french toast with peanut butter, banana slices (on top), and added chocolate chips. SOO good. Totally dessert, but great. Added 2 scrambled eggs on the side (must have been from an ostrich b/c 2 eggs should not fill up an entire plate). My girlfriend got a bagel w lox on it. Cost $10, but a LOT of salmon - really really good. She got fruit with it, which was okay. Not lot, good variety, but not impressive. Overall, for the speed and cost, I quite enjoy Sound Bites
(4)
Ian S.
Best brunch in Ball Square. I have ordered a range of things, but I tend to go back to the goat cheese and pear-stuffed French toast, which is delicious. There is often a line on weekend mornings, but it moves quickly. Plan for a 15-minute wait. Inside, the atmosphere is bustling and happy. Wait staff is brisk and efficient. They seem to appreciate prompt, no-nonsense ordering, so I would recommend looking over the menu while waiting to be seated.
(4)
Bryan K.
I went for trivia night and strongly recommend getting there early for a good seat. Service was good, albeit slow, with the noise and the crowd for trivia. Ordered the breakfast bowl and was pretty good and quite filling
(4)
Allison E.
I went on a Friday morning with my parents and had a fantastic experience. The fruit salad they give you to start had mango and kiwi which was awesome to begin with. Definitely a quirky self-serve beverage setup but it worked pretty well. I ordered smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was brunch perfection. The potatoes were awesome as well. Their pumpkin spice coffee was great and the service was friendly and speedy. Will be going back for sure!
(5)
Laura S.
I love this place. There was one experience where they were testing the fire alarm system during my post working overnight breakfast feast, which I didn't enjoy....but I eat here extremely often, I love all of the eggs benedict options, I love the mashed potato grilled hash browns, I love love love this place. Most of all, I love how neighborly this establishment has been. They're always willing to make change so I can pay the parking meter, and with a smile rather than a sigh, and they saved my Thanksgiving -- I needed cornbread to make cornbread dressing, and Lyndell's promised me they would have it on Tuesday. Tuesday came along, and Lyndell's did NOT have cornbread. I was distressed!! Then I remembered that Soundbites has AMAZING grilled cornbread muffins....so I mosied on down the street to Soundbites to obtain some cornbread, and not only did they sell me muffins, but they took me into the kitchen and let me pick my own muffins. OH also, if you're dieting and you want to still have a social brunch or breakfast with friends....they have AMAZING fruit bowls. Just saying, always nice to have a diet option. ONLY COMPLAINT: do not order a bloody mary here. It's one of the worst I have ever had. Other than that they have some really delicious mimosa options, I just wish they had them in bigger glasses :)
(4)
Madhumita N.
Delicious!!!!! So much variety, big portions and so flavorful. I liked the self serve drinks but we thought that it meant alcoholic drinks too... :)
(4)
Jackie K.
Love. I've been here a few times. My favorite thing is their unique and large amount of eggs benedict choices. Good sauce. Lines start around 10:00 or so get here early or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Susanna L.
Best corned beef hash I've ever had !! Also delicious stuffed french toast :) I also like that they usually give you a nice little plate of fruit for free.
(4)
Mallary F.
Excellent service. Great staff and an extremely friendly owner. We came and got two meals and a fruit bowl along with drinks. The owner came over and made a point to get to know us and have us introduce him to new drinks and share with us personal stories. Would come back without a doubt.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I used to love this place, but in recent years the division with the newer Ball Square Cafe has resulted in some unpleasant experiences. The food is mediocre - there are far better spots for Greek-inspired diner food or breakfast cuisine, but I'm most disturbed by a recent patron writing up on her blog that the owner yelled at her for pulling apart the stapled receipts at the end of the meal. It is unlikely I'll return, which makes me sad because I love supporting local businesses and breakfast is my favorite food. In case you're curious - here's the blog review: kristinseabolt.com/blog/…
(2)
Antony V.
Food is great, service is great, best brunch spot around. Home fries are awesome and so are the omelets.
(5)
Paola C.
Breakfast is never falls short of fantastic, service is always friendly, and the coffee bar is warm and fresh. One of my favorite places to eat.
(5)
Marco G.
This is pretty much my go to Brunch Place every weekend. I live in Inman square which has quite a few options for a good meal, but if I'm looking for a consistently good breakfast I almost always make the trek to Somerville. If you want to avoid the rush I suggest going after 12:30 on weekends. Sunday is a toss-up, but if you have the right size group you're not looking at anything more than a 15 minute wait. The food is well worth it. My routine order of late has been the scone plate which comes with eggs mixed with dill and cheddar, their unique fluffy hash browns, Canadian bacon and of course a grilled scone. The service is fast and the owner is one of the nicest I have ever met. Reviews seem to be pretty polarizing for this place, but I gave it 5 stars because it always exceeds my expectations and has pretty much everything I could ever want out of a good breakfast place. In my opinion the best place for weekend brunch in the greater Boston area.
(5)
Whitney S.
Sound Bites is my absolute favorite! The food is fabulous with the service to match. All of the staff is extremely friendly and make me feel at home every time I am there (which is usually at least once a week). I suggest trying the broadway bowl. It always hits the spot and leaves me stuffed to the brim! The Bloody Mary is damn good too!
(5)
Tom W.
Great place to unwind after a hard days work. Friendly people, you could have breakfast any time, Gregg pours the best cocktail this side of Broadway. What more could ask for?
(5)
O G.
Great ownership in this establishment. Yasser has a good thing there the food was delicious was there for after Thanksgiving Brunch with friends and great service,food was delicous and at the end was approached by the owner and engaged in a conversation with us.
(5)
Jessi P.
Everything was amazing! Get the avocado bowl, its fresh and delicious.
(5)
Alex M.
There are a few battle lines drawn when it comes to brunch in Ball Square in Somerville. One is are you in the mood for a sweet or savory breakfast and the other is are you going to Sound Bites or Ball Square Cafe. While I will never be able to decide on sweet or savory brunch fare, the location I choose will forever be Sound Bites. While they dont serve their taters in golden, crispy form, my preference, the hash they serve is still pretty delicious. Everything else on the menu is spot on, I highly recommend the Broadway Bowl. Everything is pretty reasonably priced and food comes quick so you can go on with the rest of your day as soon as you're fueled up.
(5)
Laura P.
Great breakfast spot. Food is always delicious and comes in generous servings. Love that they offer fresh fruit. One thing I don't dig is their coffee, which is a bummer because I'm a big coffee drinker. We usually go across the street to True Grounds to grab a cup after our meal.
(4)
Callie M.
Amazing food and drinks! The owner personally checked on us multiple times to make sure everything was perfect, and after our meal he bought us a round of mimosas! I had the prosciutto asparagus and Swiss omelette and it was phenomenal. Their Bloody Mary's were awesome as well, with the perfect amount of horseradish. Definitely coming back soon!
(5)
Susan R.
Wonder waffles. Not the multigrain. F@ck the multigrain. What is wrong with any of you people? Do you not have mouths? Do you not care about the people in line?! I could give zero Fu@%s how "rude" you think the staff is. Get your coffee... order your food quickly... eat it... leave. repeat that process until it is ritual. soundbites is the original, and it is the bomb.
Phenomenal breakfast every time! My husband and I discovered Sound Bites back in 2006 and have been devoted customers ever since. The fruit bowl is always bountiful and perfectly ripe, the benedicts have expertly poached eggs and sublime hollandaise (try the lobster bene - it's to die for!), the grilled blueberry muffins are a sinful treat, and the stuffed French toast is heaven on a plate. Pair any one of those things with a mimosa or Bloody Mary and your day will be off to a great start! Sound Bites is the absolute best breakfast in Somerville (and beyond)!
(5)
Michael W.
Soundbites, I wish you franchised and came down south! Everytime I have gone here over the past ten years there has been a line, for good reason. Their omelets are man size, their eggs benedict are delicious and they make a mean toasted bagel. The service is ok, but again, all the servers are in the weeds all the time. Come hungry, leave full... this pace is a staple in Medford.
(4)
Rosie C.
I was worried that Sound Bites wouldn't live up to the hype--but it totally did! My sister has been talking this place up for months, and I totally didn't expect it to be as good as she was saying. I wanted to deduct a star for pretty lame/rushed customer service--I wasn't thrilled to get my own water. But I did like the amazing options at the coffee bar, as well as the fact that you can take a cup to go. Four waiters asked for our order in the first four minutes after arrival, which was pretty annoying, but the fourth waitress was really sweet and offered to give us separate checks and she didn't even seem annoyed by it. But the menu--amazzzzing! I lived for all the salty-sweet food combos. I ended up with a Boston Blue--a mini cheddar omlet, homefries, and a grilled blueberry muffin. Why has nobody thought to grill muffins?!? It was incredible! I understand that the staff really rushes you in the morning. We entered at 12:30pm and had no trouble at all!
(5)
Sofyan S.
They serve free coffee and tea while you wait outside, i found this outstanding and generous, i got egg Benedict and the food is tasty, recommended.
(5)
Matthew J.
Well worth the wait. I have tried most things on their brunch menu and I've never had a bad meal .
(5)
Brianna R.
I would highly recommend this spot for brunch! Any day of the week. The service is amazing! The owner came over to our table several times to make sure everything was ok. He even gave us a free round of mimosas! I had both mimosas and a Bloody Mary and they were both delicious. I had eggs Benedict with prosciutto, tomatoes and asparagus and it was amazing. Everyone at my table were very pleased with their meal and drinks. It's small so I would recommend making a reservation!
(5)
Liza K.
Great food, for a good price! There's always a wait, but it's worth it. They have a lot of great variety on their menu! My favorite thing is their fruit salad - they put a lot more different kinds of seasonal fruit than just your average fruit bowl. Try it if you want a healthy add-on! Also: Make sure you tell your server you want to split your bill before you order your food, though!
(4)
Lizzy S.
One of our favorite places to get breakfast! We first went here in 2011 and since then we've made it our mission to come back here again one day! Mind you, we were living in Jakarta, Indonesia back then... and now that we've relocated to Boston, we've been here twice in the past month :) My personal breakfast items favorite are their sweet pepper corned beef hash with sunny side ups on top + a side of challah french toast. My husband is more of the steak n egg guy. The next we come back, we'd really like to order fro their lunch/dinner menu.
(5)
Michael C.
A main stay Somerville breakfast establishment. This place was remodeled years ago so long gone are the days when the owner, who operated this place with an iron fist, would call out patrons to leave quickly once they ate their last bite. After years of being away from this place the owner still remembered my face and greeted me with a free fresh fruit cup with my take out order. The must get item here is the Eggs Benedict, while everything else is great too you must try them. Simply outstanding. They do a mashed potato style hash brown that I am not as big a fan of though.
(5)
Gladys C.
Just had bfast here this morning and everything was perrrrrfect!!! We came in here around 9am and we did not have to wait at all ( that's what you call a miracle in Somerville). We didn't get greeted until 15 mins after we sat down but we were all busy looking at the menu anyway. They had a large variety of pancakes/waffles/ french toast as well as your classic bfast items like omelette, Benedicts and burritos. I ended up ordering the fruit bowl and a side of triple berry pancakes. Boy were they good!! There was at least 5 different kinds of fruits in my bowl and it was really fresh. The bowl was as big as a cereal bowl jamm packed with fresh goodness! My pancakes were also decent sized with real chunky fruits in it. My other 2 friends got the omelette and eggs benedict and they were raving about it as well. The service was on point and friendly, I'd definitely come here again next time I visit home.
(5)
Lauren W.
Back when I first started going to Sound Bites, it was about half the current size and the wait line often stretched around the block. The food was so good that there were many Saturday mornings where I stood in that that line for a ridiculous amount of time. It was just like that one Portlandia skit! Visiting Sound Bites was a must on my trip back to Boston, but this time we were smart and went on a weekday morning. Even with a group of 5, we got a table right away. One of my favorite things about Sound Bites is the do-it-yourself coffee bar. You just walk right up, grab any of the super cute colorful mugs and make it the way you want it. The day we were there they had two regular brews, one decaf, and about 4 flavored varieties. They also have different types of milk, sweeteners, and cinnamon! My favorite breakfast food is eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, many restaurants murder this dish, over-cooking the eggs and burning the Hollandaise sauce. Sound Bites is pretty much the gold standard for solid eggs bene. The yolk is always super runny and their Hollandaise is tangy & perfect! Because of this we did the only logical thing: order two of their special Benedicts and split them. Steve ordered the prosciutto, asparagus and tomato Benedict, which was great. The salt of the cured ham and the sauce were delicious together. I picked the Greek Benedict which contained tomato, spinach and feta cheese. Once again, the salt of the feta complimented the the hollandaise. And the yolk was SO RUNNY! I would also be remiss if I did not mention their no-place-like-home fries. It's different than any breakfast potato I've ever had. They fry and season the mashed potatoes so that the top gets super crispy while the center retains that creamy potato goodness. Sound Bites is still one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots ever. Located just outside of Davis Square, it is worth the little adventure for the perfect eggs Benedict.
(4)
Tony M.
I had the Nutella Stuffed French Toast today, and it was Bomb.com !!! The service is incredible, the waiters are amazing and super friendly. What made my experience complete was meeting Yasser... Long story short, he's the MAN!!! Honestly I can't wait to go back there again.
(5)
Naeema A.
Amazing food! Especially the Tunisian Omelette and the waffles! Prices are reasonable but I was paying the taxi more than what I am paying for the food! I didn't know how to reach it by train or bus! But once I've tried it with my friend I couldn't stop enjoying the food there! Please don't MISS it!!
(5)
Niki K.
Visiting from buffalo and stopped here on a recommendation. We were impressed with self-serve drink bar, the prompt and courteous service and the over-the-top generosity of the owner. We ordered the broadway bowl (home fries, peppers/onions, avocados and over med eggs) and the golden grill (2 eggs, meat, hash browns and corn muffin) and then pancakes on the side. (We had a long drive ahead of us) I swapped in a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit (the best I've ever seen: mango, grapes, blueberries, banana, melon) and then we received a mimosa on the house. Can't beat good service to make you feel like it's somewhere you want to come back to. I wish I was hungry because I'd eat it all again.
(5)
Lisa W.
I have been there 2x with 2 different groups of people and both times we were seated within a few minutes of our arrival. The food is fantastic. Our party ordered the basic 2 egg, 2 orders of eggs Benedict over lox, blueberry french toast and the pancakes with marscapone, the name of which is escaping me. And the hash browns - OM Goodness! more like a pan seared mashed potato cake! The service is excellent and the staff engaging, funny and friendly. I highly recommend - if there's a line, don't let it discourage you - they seat when your party is together so many of those people are waiting for others to join them. Enjoy!
(5)
Melissa Y.
I've been here about three times now, and it's sort of the default breakfast joint, if you can't decide on where else to go. I would describe the food here as a good place to go if you're looking for comfort breakfast food. They do things here differently from other breakfast places that I've been to, like they have a coffee/tea station for you to fill up your mug yourself. You also have to get your own water. So they serve you food, but you have to get your drinks yourself. The service here is okay, but I wouldn't describe it as friendly. It's not a big deal, but something I've observed. During my last two visits here, I wasn't that impressed with their dishes. In my most recent visit, I ordered the greek eggs Benedict and I thought it tasted pretty good and it also came with hash browns. I think Sound Bites is a good place to go if you're looking for breakfast food, and they do offer other non-breakfast food, which I haven't tried, so you do have other options. Also, they serve alcohol here so it could be a nice place to watch a game.
My step mother and I attended this place 6 years ago. One and only time I would think to have breakfast at this place. I had to try and find this joint& find out if it was still open& by some miracle it is. The owner or Sound Bite will forever stick out in my mind as the worst ending to a meal in a restaurant possible. Let's begin with a little detail in the menu "Fresh Fruit" is farrrrrrr from this mushy/frozen fruit. My step mother had asked ,when we were ordering, if the blueberries were in fake fresh, the owner who took our order reassured her they were. Food comes, honestly don't remember what I ate for breakfast but I'll never forget the blueberry pancakes my step mother ordered. Food came all is well, got through the meal just fine however, when my step mother inspected her pancakes she had discovered a lie was told about the "fresh" blueberries. She didn't touched the cakes and we asked for the bill. The owner came over with the bill pretty quickly considering there was only 4 other tables eating in the place. He started clearing the plates in a stack in front of him, while my step mother pulled out money to take care of the bill. He left the pancakes for last to clear away and when he went to pull it away he asked "Didn't you like the pancakes?!", since they were untouched. My step mother replied in the kindest she could put it, "I asked if the blueberries were fresh, and they certainly weren't". The owner went Hulk on the cakes grabbing them with his hand and squeezing/kneading the cakes like it was a dough. He kept shouting at us as we got up and left calmly. I've in too many years have never felt so disrespected during a meal in a restaurant. I've retold this story to too many people over the years because of how shocking everything went down at the Sound Bite. The detail I never remembered was the name of the place but with a little research I found this joint to be the place. Articles in the news tell of even more outrageous events at the place. Stay veryyyyyyy farrrrrrr, don't waste your money here. Im truly shocked this place hasnt gone out of business.
(1)
Keyon R.
This place is as good as it gets for welcoming staff and top-notch food without all the "extra". Breakfast all day, full bar available, self-serve beverages, pretty great use of space and seating. Got the Tex-Mex omelet yesterday and it was edible magic. No need to doubt here. Stop reading these and do yourself a favor by visiting this place!
(5)
Mark S.
Great food. OK service. I understand that weekend mornings are hectic, but when you own a breakfast joint that comes with the territory, no? I'd definitely go back and give it a second chance to prove me wrong.
(3)
Robert M.
It's not a bad place to grab some breakfast, not such a great place to have dinner. I live close enough to consider it amongst the few breakfast spots in east Somerville. Nothing special about it, but nothing offensive either. You can only expect so much from eggs. With that being said, the night time sound bites leaves a bit to be desired. Sort of surly service and under salted, over cooked food. Try it out, you never know.
(3)
Brooke H.
No line! Breakfast was good and good came out quickly. Bacon was eh. Fruit salad was fresh and delicious but everything else was just good.
(3)
Sylvia G.
I really really really want to give this place 5 stars, because the food was great. I went at like 2pm on a Tuesday, so there was literally nobody else there. The food was really great, my toast was delicious, but I was incessantly harassed by the wait staff, and it made me feel really uncomfortable. I walked in to an empty restaurant, which was nice because I was aiming for a working lunch. Instead, the waiter kept asking me if I spoke Spanish, and even after I said yes but was clearly uncomfortable and continued to address him only in English, he would only speak to me in Spanish. Then, the chef came to bring my food over, and said something in Spanish, and I thanked him in Spanish. He wasn't even three feet away from my table when he yelled at the top of his lungs across the entire restaurant to the waiter and said "she does speak Spanish!" (in Spanish). WTF? For the rest of my time there, the waiter only addressed me in Spanish, and he came over a bunch of times, way more than were necessary. He kept trying to make small talk and was very aggressively hitting on me even though I was obviously not interested and clearly busy. He also blatantly stared at me the entire time I was there. All and all, I felt really uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure the bill was wrong, but I wanted to get out of there so bad that I just paid it and ran out the door. I didn't even feel comfortable paying with a credit card lest creepy lover-man learn my name, so I paid in cash. Sound Bites' breakfast-food is excellent. But don't go there to study for you Chemistry exam during down time because you'll most likely end up getting hit on by creepy, really rude dudes. I definitely won't be returning alone.
(1)
Emily A.
Consistently delicious food with incredible service! We ordered a fruit bowl that could have fed 4 people for only $8! Then got a carafe of some of the best sangria Iv had in awhile for only $28! They never disappoint and is a great place to go at any time of day :)
(5)
Dennis M.
I eat here occasionally, kind of a family thing... The breakfasts are very good barring the mashed potato grilled hash browns. In good weather I like to stop here in the evening for a beer.
(4)
David B.
I've been a regular of soundbites for years. it's one of my favorite places. best brunch food you'll find anywhere and all the staff are awesome folks. Yasser the owner has always been super friendly and appreciative of the fact that we're back again.
(5)
jodie z.
Soundbites bent over backwards to help me when I was ordering food for catering an event. They were so helpful and the food was so delicious, I would absolutely choose them again. Everyone kept raving about the food -- the baba ghanouj (sp?), the fruit salad, and wings. Thanks again, Soundbites!!
(5)
Missy M.
I was really don't like Sound Bites. The food is totally average and really over priced. There is so many better and less expensive places around. Going to this place on the weekend is a clusterfuck. The last time I went on a Saturday afternoon, the tables were pushed SO close together, that the woman on my left kept bumping my table with her ass when she got up (which she did a lot, as the coffee is self serve, another thing I don't get or like). It wasn't even her fault. We were just TOO FREAKING CLOSE. The table on my right was literally less than 6 inches away. A family of three was seated there a little after we came, so our food came out before theirs. Their hungry little brat had his nose practically IN MY PLATE until their food came out. I was almost touching the kid. His parents seemed to think it was cute and hilarious. My order was a little bit messed up, and the wait staff was so crazy busy that they didn't come and check on us until we were almost done eating, so it wasn't worth it to ask them to fix it. I get that you're trying to maximize your profits, but doing it by shoving as many people as humanly possible into a space, understaffing, and overcharging is not the way to do it.
(2)
Jack P.
there is a crowd for a reason so I cant hold that against them. Ive only done breakfast (no matter the time of day) and wow. great friendly service, on a few occasions the owner has checked in on my party and held a short conversation. Great options for what I guess u could call a breakfast combo. (cheese omlette, bacon, hash, and a grilled corn muffin) and I would think that there was a fruit stand behind the building.... don't go if youre not gonna get the fruit cup
(5)
Paul B.
Great bfast spot, good good and help yourself drinks/coffee is great. Prices are Good, recommend the bfast bowl
(4)
Joanna F.
Another update. I've been going to trivia at night every couple weeks at Soundbites. Yes, they have trivia and a full bar and dinner menu. Pretty awesome. The service at night is definitely insanely slow, but much more pleasant and they have a surprisingly good beer menu. So why the three stars? Long story short, the only good menu items are breakfast (which they serve all day). If you don't want to wait in a ridiculous line, but still want to experience breakfast here, go at night. That being said, last night I had an awful Cobb Salad. The chicken was cooked well, but it was covered in shredded cheddar cheese (where's the bleu cheese at), had absolutely no avocado even though it was on the menu and the "Italian dressing" tasted like vinegar. Only vinegar. Like... can't you go buy some store bought dressing? That being said, the hummus plate is very good and the trivia is really awesome. So 3.5. Slowly inching up, Soundbites.
(3)
Kit Y.
Before my breakfast yesterday, I was warned that the servers here were jerks, so I had expectations of rude service. I was actually surprised to find them pretty nice. They even joked with us a little. Weird. First thing, my friends said we could get coffee while we wait. Cool, I love coffee. It wasn't bad either and it was unlimited, refill on your own. I love that. I hate going out for breakfast because vegan breakfasts are hard to come by and also, I can eat a damn bagel at home. So I came to Soundbites with the expectation of leaving hungry as well. But to my surprise I had a big breakfast and was satisfied and happy when I left. I had a fruit bowl, and you may be thinking, "how un-special." That was my first thought, but then it arrived and was loaded with two types of apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, bananas, mangoes, kiwis, and blueberries. The most surprising thing was that they were all incredibly ripe and sweet. That plus my bagel and I was pretty damn full after wards. So based on my breakfast alone, a 5. The cramped space, long line, I can live with.
(5)
Dana B.
I used to be a die hard Kelly's fan and every time I walked by Soundbites on a weekend day, there was a line that stretched outside and around the corner of the block. I didn't get it. Then one Monday morning a friend of mine and I went in. He order Eggs Benedict with Lobster and I had the "Basic Plus" which is essentially your typical breakfast sampler of eggs, bacon, toast and home fries (that are like mashed potatoes!!!). We also got fresh fruit on the house which was, in fact, fresh and delicious. The service is very fast. You get your own drinks to save the waitstaff some time. It gets a little crowded in that section, but whatever. Your food is probably waiting for you when you get back. On a separate occasion, I ordered a vegetable pocket w/ melted cheese that was delicious. I'm not saying that you should wait the 3hrs or get up at 6am to enjoy a meal here on the weekends, but I am saying that I am lucky enough to not work on Mondays and can enjoy it. Oh, but they do deliver breakfast on the weekends too, so there is that :)
(5)
Ali M.
My new favorite breakfast spot. I've been here twice and have really enjoyed the food each time, as have my friend and BF. I've tried the Tuscan Omelet, Blueberry Wheat Pancakes, and fruit plate. Good coffee too. I was skeptical after reading the reviews, but it sounds like this is not a hang around, read the paper, and sip your coffee kind of place...at least not on the weekend b/c it gets so busy. It's definitely a place where you can expect to get a good breakfast - and you'll be in and out. I haven't had any problems with the owner or other servers-they've actually been quite pleasant. It's a good casual atmosphere and usually quite lively. If you go during the week, it shouldn't be too crazy. I went on a weekend (on the early side - 10am) and didn't have a wait. When I was leaving around 11:15am, there was a line out the door. I'd recommend giving this place a try if you have time during the week. If you go on a weekend, be prepared.
(4)
Bill C.
Great breakfast, fast and delicious. The line was a long one but it moved quickly, these guys know how to run a busy restaurant. I was able to have a chat with the owner while we waited for our table and he was as warm and friendly as my own farther. I'll definitely be back for seconds.
(4)
R F.
Staff - Unfriendly, rushing waitstaff People - Hungover Tufts people Food - really good breakfast stuff for decent prices. I've only been here for breakfast. It's good, not too expensive, but very very long waits on some days/times, and the staff is awful, unfriendly, and lame. I won't mind if I never came back here. I like cooking for myself and my hungover family and friends anyway... hmph
(3)
Kate M.
Pros: decent food, typical breakfast fare Cons: feel like cattle being herded while standing in line, then get barked at to place your order. Then get the check thrown at you. If you want to enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning, this is not the place to do it. They fully expect you to leave within 10 minutes of finishing eating and 5 minutes of getting the check. Don't even think about getting a refill on that coffee once the check is on your table...
(2)
Eve L.
The place rocks. If someone complains about the service it probably means they: a) used a fucking cell phone while sitting at their table -- and I appreciate the owner's low tolerance for this despicably rude behavior b) are an overprivileged, entitled Tufts undergrad and need to be put in their place in the first place. But let's get down to business. This is one of the best breakfast places in Boston, EASILY. It gets voted Best in Boston year after year for a reason. The food is spectacular. Everything on the menu is wonderful. Literally. EVERYTHING. The Best Blue, the coconut chocolate chip pancakes, and the Moroccan eggs are some of my faves, but everything is good. Really. And to make things even better, it's one of the best bargains ANYWHERE in the Boston area. The service is splendidly efficient. It's a small place, so they keep things moving. You're there to eat, guys, so eat and get on with your lives. As result, even when there's a line out the door, you'll never have to wait more than 15 minutes. Ever. And the owner is very funny and friendly and will joke with you as he smokes outside and moves people along, especially if you become a regular.
(5)
Eliz G.
I came here on a Saturday morning with three friends. Of course there was a wait and we had to wait outside for 10 or 15 minutes. The atmosphere was a little too college student intense for me, with 90% of the clientele appearing to be from Tufts. I ordered banana pancakes. They were good. My friends all got eggs that they enjoyed. I didn't expect much, it's a typical cheap breakfast place. I was slightly pissed that they charged me for tea when all I had was hot water. I know a lot of people like it, but there are other cheap breakfast places I prefer, like The Neighborhood. I'm not much inclined to go back.
(3)
Allison M.
There is no better breakfast than the Avocado & Tomato Eggs Benedict at Sound Bites in my opinion - my mouth waters just thinking about it. My boyfriend orders the Black & Blue, a toasted blueberry muffin, bacon and cheese omlette - he loves it. I read the postings about service and in general, I think it's ok. Last Saturday we were annoyed when the busperson took my plates and drinks away while my bf was still eating. Overall, a great place.
(4)
Etta M.
brunch is my favorite meal hands down and soundbites does it well. what is not enjoyable is wating in line and being hurried out. FEAR NOT MY FRIENDS!!! i have the secret to enjoying some amazing soundbites banana nut pancakes: no line, no waiting, no being rushed. - go during a snow storm. seriously. pull on your boots and make the walk if you can.. weekdays also are not all that bad. as for food: omlettes are great, stuffed french toast rocks my belly!!!
(4)
Kezam O.
Well, this is somewhat embarassing to admit, but I was so in awe of the food that I ended up buying a t-shirt from here... I have never before in my life bought clothing in such a manner and I doubt it will happen again any time soon. I should contextualise this by saying that I had a "guide" who was familiar with Boston and could therefore explain the logic of this restaurant. Chances are you'll have to wait. You might also feel a little unwelcome. But you do get coffee while waiting and the food is great. And, to be honest, the people working there are just being quirky in their own way I guess...
(5)
Steve M.
Anytime an oddball place gets a lot of attention, it's going to divide people into firm camps. For my part, I used to think that Sound Bites was awesome - worth the money, the curt service and crowded dining room, and at least some of the wait. The luster has faded recently, however, and I have no idea what the upcoming expansion is going to do for that (guessing nothing good). I love their grilled muffins, and some of the more popular items are quite good ("Boston's Best Blue"). Are they the best breakfast in Boston, as so often rated? Perhaps. If you can get there at off hours (weekday mornings, after 11 on weekends), you can skip a line that often stretches 30 feet. For the record, you'll find a wait that's just as bad at a lot of other local breakfast joints on a Sunday morning. You'll be rushed out no matter what, but if you want an experience, check it out. Decide for yourself.
(3)
Susie C.
Soundbites never disappoints. The food is delicious and the portions are huge. They give a free plate of fresh fruit to every table, there is a full coffee bar where you can pour your own (lots of different flavors) into a mug or a take away cup. The hashbrowns are a giant wedge of baked mashed-potato goodness with a slightly crusted top...truly delivious. It's true that this place has a long line during peak weekend hours, but I do believe it is worth the wait. They have expanded and have more tables and more space to wait inside now. Highly recommend it. Best breakfast in the area.
(5)
T H.
"Are you done with that? Can I take that plate?" "NO, FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M STILL WORKING ON THIS PLATE." This was definitely a common theme throughout brunch -- the stony-faced waitstaff kept trying to hustle our group of 6 out to make room for other diners, and we persistently refused to budge -- we were going to scrape up every last morsel of our awesome breakfast, and there was no way we were going to let the waiters take it from us before we were ready. I ordered the Eggs Benne (Toasted English muffin, Canadian Ham, Poached Egg, "Our own" Hollandaise sauce," served with home fries), the BF got the 2^3 combo (Two eggs any style, choice of meats, french toast, home fries), and everyone else had the same breakfast special: Avocado and Tomato Eggs Benedict. Yum-o. Everything was delicious, especially my ooey gooey eggs. I have to admit though, I wasn't a huge fan of the Canadian bacon -- it was a little too chewy for the melty eggs and soft English muffin -- next time I think I'm going to substitute it for smoked salmon, or maybe avocados. Also, not entirely sure how I felt about the home fries. Instead of the usual fried wedges, these were more like mashed potatoes in appearance and consistency, and while the flavor was good overall, there was a hint of tang that I couldn't identify and didn't quite like. Lemon? Vinegar? This is going to drive me crazy until my next visit. A tip for Sound Bites newbies: drinks are self-service. You want coffee? Get it yourself. Orange juice? It's chilling in the display fridge, so go help yourself. But don't think you can get away with downing as many drinks as you want for free -- the surly owner will be around at least twice to stare at your table and take note of the beverage situation.
(4)
Brendan B.
I've lived in Somerville for four years and have still never been to their breakfast. It's legendary in these parts but whenever I drive by there is a line half way up the block. I've never gone because I have better things to do on a Sunday morning than stand in a line, like pray to our lord and savior Jesus Christ. I'm just kidding, that's for losers too. Anyway, we decided to have them deliver dinner the other night and wow, it really sucked. We ordered a pizza that looked like a 3 year old made it with playdough, but it didn't taste nearly as good. It was undercooked which I can understand because it was a Saturday night and I'm sure they were busy. But the peppers they put on top were not pre cooked. Everybody knows that you're supposed to cook the peppers first. Thus the peppers were half hard, like me when I watch E.T. My friend Sandra ordered the chicken tenders (even though she is a grown up) and they came with a side order of disgusting. The mousaka............pretty good. Maybe these guys should stick to the food of their Middle Eastern homeland and leave the pizza to the Red Barron, or Mama Celeste.
(2)
Walker D.
Sound Bites... bites. This is hands down the most overrated restaurant in Boston. Yes, the food is pretty good. Not great - pretty good. I'll concede that their chef knows what's up. But in order to eat this good-not-great food, you have to endure one of the most heinous restaurant experiences you'll ever find. The wait times here are outrageous, and they make no apologies. The pricing is a little steep for the quality. But most of all, the service at Sound Bites is absolutely atrocious. Running a restaurant with this level of service is reproachable. Banking on the reputation they've somehow built, Sound Bites no longer cares about treating people well, they just want to turn the tables and get the next person in. You're just a number. If you leave and never come back, they'll still have a line out the door every Sunday. The servers are inattentive, impersonal, and at times outright rude. I once had a waiter take my plate while more than one bite of my bagel was still in my hand. I've been back several times at other peoples' insistence and never once been remotely impressed. There's other good food to be had in the city without all the hassle. Go find it.
(1)
Kim L.
I will agree with the masses: Sound Bites serves good food. Yes, yes, yes. This is a fact that I will not dispute. The food is fast, it is delicious, it is affordable. I will also say that the french toast is to die for. Why? Because they use challah. This is their secret, and what a wonderous secret it is. Aside from the french toast, pretty much everything on the menu is delicious (lunch items included)...though the breakfast items are by far their specialty (don't even get me started on the STUFFED french toast). And now the reason for only 4 stars: I hate waiting. Even more so than waiting, though, I hate being rushed out after waiting. Sure, I understand the reasons behind the rushing. And yet...I still hate being rushed. I am definitely glad for the ability to grab a cup of joe while I'm waiting and even more glad for the prompt (as prompt as possible) seating. But the rushing, the pressure to leave as soon as I've sat down, really warrants only 4 stars. Bottom line: If i wasn't rushed out, I'd have given 5 stars.
(4)
Dic D.
Wicked crowded on the weekends. Crappy service. Tables right on top of each other. Kids screaming. Yuppies. You get rushed out as soon as you sit down. Food can be ok.... if you can overcome the downsides.... Go next door.
(2)
Medford L.
I am upset, I had never tried potato's let alone for breakfast. Now I am an addict. Great food, but the manager/owner is an absolute nut, he scars the patrons. I started my love of this place while he was away for whatever reason, his return has sent me to Ball Square Cafe, and the Broken Yok. Yasser, go on vacation and I will be back with friends.
(4)
Aaron D.
Soundbites... not much more to be said, 100+ reviews, everyone knows about it, yadda yadda yadda. If you don't mind the bustling atmosphere and the possibility of a wait (dress accordingly for the weather, you could be waiting outside), it's a great breakfast spot. Now that they've moved into a larger area, the line is shorter and moves faster than it used to. The larger space also allows diners to actually swallow their food after eating rather than being rushed out with the food still in their throats. I really like the self-serve beverage system, you don't have to rely on anyone else to refill your coffee or water, and you can take a minute to decide what to get. Though that may not be for everyone. As far as the food, there are tons of options (omlettes, eggs benedict, pancakes/waffles) and the portions are more than adequate. I always insist that newcomers try out at least one of the following side orders: homefries, grilled blueberry muffin, or the fresh fruit. None of those will let you down.
(4)
Dany S.
I was introduced to Soundbites about 3 months ago and I have to say they have the best brunch around! I live in boston but drive every Sunday morning (or early afternoon) all the way there just to eat brunch. They make their breakfast delicious, mostly the swine and Swiss omlet. If you haven't been, I suggest taking time on a Sunday and stopping by!
(4)
Marina P.
I love Sound Bites - it is by far one of my favorite breakfast places anywhere. Everything I've ever ordered here has been great but I am a huge fan of the eggs benedict - especially with smoked salmon. They are also extremely generous with their fruit plates. People complain about the abrupt service but the staff is all about getting peope their food quickly. Also, I am a huge fan of Yassir the owner - he may seem rough around the edges, but once he gets to know you as a frequent customer, he treats you like gold. 4 stars instead of five only because I've waited on some super long lines - the food is certainly worth the wait but standing outside in Boston in February can be seriously brutal.
(4)
Crystal S.
My top reason for 3 stars: I have mixed feelings as I write this review. Some things about Sound Bites warrant a 4, some things a 2, hence the 3, it's between 2 and 4 in case you never knew. My top reason for 2 stars: While you're waiting, you get rained on and become bitter, when you're eating your meal, people are glaring at you while they stand over you and don't close the door so that all of the cold air rushes in. My top reason for 4 stars: They use real fruit on their waffles!! REAL FRUIT!!!!! ok. I'm done.
(3)
Joel O.
The food here is good but it is always jammed and you can't linger at a table. Once I was actually chastised for getting a second cup of coffee. Despite that, I keep going back for those addicting fried mashed potatoes.
(3)
Michael B.
This used to be our preferred breakfast joint, but it has evolved into a dinner favorite for us. Large portions of tasty food, and you can still get breakfast at dinner time. (Martini with your waffle?)
(5)
Isaac M.
Lines can get crazy for weekend brunch, but the food is amazing and well-priced.
(4)
Katie H.
The latest reviews on this place are pretty scathing, but I'd have to say I couldn't disagree more. I'm also not sure how I managed to live up the street from here for 2 years and never have eaten there! I guess the only time I've thought about going is when I walk by on a weekend and have to push through the lines of people. But on a weekday morning? No problem! My dad and I got there around 10am and there was a sign inviting you to seat yourself while grabbing silverware and a menu for yourself. The coffee was also self-serve so that you could have a never ending cup of it. All other drinks/juices are in a cooler that you could go up to and choose from the 40 or so juices. Good for me since I'm a strictly no pulp in my oj girl, so I could choose what was good for me. We were also served a fruit plate on the house, just as everyone else had been. It was a great snack while we waited for our meals. I went for the Asparagus and Tom Bene - eggs benedict on a grilled english muffin, layered on top of a tomato slice, covered in hollandaise sauce and served with "homefries" (which yes, they were mashed potatoes but i looooved them!) The serving was a perfect size to get full, but not want to return home immediately for a mid-morning nap. I will definitely return for a mid-week brunch, probably still never on the weekends. But in terms of whats available in the neighborhood, this is the place to go for less standard brunch choices, while Kelly's is still good for the greasy spoon, eat enough to last you the day kind of brunch.
(5)
Teju P.
My friends were raving about this place, so we finally got together and went for brunch. At first I was not impressed because I had to stand in line with noone taking our name down. But the owner was very good about seating people quickly! I had the Tusian omlette with egg whites which was so different and tasty! I also stole a pancake from my friend's plate. The strawberries were fresh and not frozen! The only thing they did forget was our mimosas. One thing to keep in mind is they added gratuity to the bill because we were a party of 5.
(5)
Joshua G.
You freeze your ass off waiting in line. And then they push you out the door if you don't eat rapidly enough. Service is rude.
(1)
D. Z.
I stopped in for weekday lunch. No crowds. Parking is tricky unless you have a permit, but the meal is worth the hunt. Breakfast all day and a nice selection of breakfast standards, sandwiches, wraps, soup. Mediterranean-inspired twist - falafel, hummus, baba gahnosh, etc. Nice atmosphere inside, with serve-yourself coffee. I had a sandwich - very generous servings for the price and good. Before our meals arrived, we were given a small plate of fruit to share and they also sampled the pancake of the day (raspberry & cream cheese - yum). Service was excellent, too. I'm no fan of lining up for my food, so I'll stick to off-hours. Hope to see you there, too!
(4)
Anne C.
Delicious food, great bloody marys, superb ambiance. Love it, love it, love it. Went for brunch; will definitely return to try dinner.
(5)
Andrew B.
I really can't see what all the fuss is about. The food was not spectacular, the place is crammed and who the hell wants to be rushed through Sunday brunch? The service is good and the free coffee while waiting is nice, but I think many are just on such a caffeine high from drinking coffee on an empty stomach that when they finally get in out of the cold you could feed them a cracker and it'd be the "best damn cracker EVAR!" I'm on to your tricks, Sound Bites, and no amount of stimulants will make me rate you better... evar.
(2)
Kat A.
For breakfast, this place cannot be beat. The people who run the place are super-nice. I only had lunch there once and it was not as great as breakfast, but it was still pretty darn good. And, I don't know who decided this place is not good for kids--there are tons of kids and families that go there, and no one seems to mind at all.
(4)
Gordon C.
We go there for breakfast or brunch pretty often, and it is just so good. Their no place like homefries hit the spot every time, and small parties can get seated pretty quickly. I've never had a problem with the service, either. The food comes pretty fast and they have always been friendly to us. Go here!
(5)
Mona A.
I really don't get the hype around this place. Believe me, I have given this place a second and a third chance, just because of all the people talking great things about it and it was right in my backyard when I used to live in Somerville. The food is not that great. The eggs are greasy and rubbery. The french toast was nothing to write home about. The homefries...a blob of fried mashed potatoes...bleh. Where have the homefried red skin potatoes gone!! The scones are way better in Carberry's. The service is attrocious. One time, they asked us if we were done when we still had half eaten food in front of us. I had half a mind to ask them to pack it for me if they were going to be rude enough to boot me out of the place when I wasn't even done. Yes, there's a long line outside. But, I served my time in that line too. Atleast, let me eat in peace!! Honestly, save yourself some time and angst and go to True Grounds right across. Much better coffee, better service and attitude. If you are looking for a full service brunch place, go to Rene's. Hands down, much better food. Service is a hit or miss. But, atleast they are not rude there, just overwhelmed and busy. If you have to go here, go on a weekday, atleast you'll get better service and they won't rush you out.
(2)
chelsea h.
a---- mazing breajfast food! there's always a long wait on the weekends, but it is definitely worth the wait! just be prepared to order what you want when you sit down because they are constantly herding people in and out of there, and they don't like having to wait to long for you to make up your mind or chit chat too long once you are done.
(4)
Rich W.
***Update*** With the "new" Sound Bites next door, he's having some growing pains training new staff and getting used to the larger seating area. The kitchen is cooking food as fast as it can and I spoke with Yasser about it and he plans on buidling another kitchen for the weekends. So the delays will go away in time. The quality of food is still there!!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE! I've been a regular for a while now and I have to say it's one of the best breakfast places around. If you're looking for the standard eggs and pancakes...go somewhere else! If you're looking for fresh food, a variety of options, and some entertaining staff, come here. Yes, Yasser is much like the soup nazi but he also can be the nicest guy in the world. Every time I go in, he remembers who I am and always shakes my hand and hugs my fiancee. He remembers that we order a fruit bowl and that comes out usually before our order is even taken. He can be rough around the edges...look at the menu while in line - which is usually about 10ish minutes if you're waiting for a table for 2 and about 20ish minutes if you're waiting for a table for 4. I've never seen anyone wait longer than that and have never, ever seen anyone stand in line for 40 minutes as some posts suggest. Weekends are busy - especially Sunday. Get your coffee while you wait in line. That's a big perk. Food is awesome...fruit is always fresh and I've never, EVER had a bad breakfast here. Always leave full of great food. I seriously think I'll invite Yasser to my wedding to keep the guests in line. :)
(5)
Jenny L.
I saw this place on the Food Network and decided to try it out for brunch. There are no reservations and no waiting list so you just have to wait in line. The line does move pretty quickly and you can grab a cup of coffee while you're waiting and pay for it with your meal. I had the Fluffy Challah French Toast and have to say that overall I was pleased with my meal. There are lots of choices on the menu and everything we ordered was hot and fresh. My biggest complaint is that you have to serve yourself drinks. It wouldn't be so bad except that the place is small and cramped and it's a struggle to get your cup of coffee back to the table without spilling. Overall, I enjoyed my meal but didn't feel like the restaurant provided much else. And the price was probably a little high given what you're getting with regards to food and atmosphere.
(3)
Dan S.
I had dinner there tonight. We ordered a pizza not knowing it would be made across the street and brought over. Also, they had one waiter/host/busboy for the whole place. Not one of each. Just one. At 8pm. On a Friday night. Horrible service. Mediocre food. Never again. It didn't help that we sat for 20 minutes at our table while others who walked in after us had drinks and their order taken before we even got menus.
(1)
Joseph D.
Possibly the best breakfast place in the Boston area. With one exception, everything I've tried on the menu has been fantastic (the blueberry pancakes were a little dry last time, but I've had too many positive experiences for that to really count). I've come here with big groups, small groups, and also at night. The bar is actually pretty nice, which was a surprise. I love how the coffee is bottomless, and I love when Yassir, the owner, brings fruit to the table and says, "On the house." Yes, you will probably have to wait for a table on a weekend morning, but it's well worth it.
(5)
molly f.
Sound bites is good, solid breakfast establishment. On the rare occasion we venture up to Somerville for breakfast, this place (or Kelly's) is usually our go-to, although I hear a new place, Ball Square Cafe has opened as well. The menu offerings at Sound Bites are a pretty big range. From no-nonsense eggs, toast & bacon...to stuffed goat cheese french toast with pears. Something for everyone, I suppose. A unique aspect of Sound Bites is their Beverage Bar. While the staff serves you food....you get yourself your drink. From 10 different flavors of coffee, fresh juice, hot teas, bottles of sodas, juices, etc...and all the accessories you need, you can get them yourself at the Beverage Bar. One word of caution- the prices here are oddly steep, so be prepared for that. Some things are very reasonable, but each time we are surprised at how much we pay for such simple fare.
(3)
Liz D.
The thing about Sound Bites is that they have good food but it's a little pricey for what it is and they have really long waits on the weekend. I don't mind having a self-service beverage station but I don't like that I have to pay $2.50 for a cup of tea that I make myself, that seems a little steep (no pun intended) for a tea bag and some hot water. The potatoes are really good!
(3)
Melissa W.
It's an experience, alright? And if you move away from the area without having ever waited in the line that extends down the block, around the corner, huddled and shivering with your hands cupped tightly around your cup of coffee for 40 minutes, you haven't lived here. The food is tasty. Rich. And reasonably priced. It's not gourmet, per se, but like I said, it's affordable. And they'll add avocado to anything you want. But beware! This is a hustlin' establishment, not a place for mellowing out. What can I say? It gets my blood pumping on a Sunday morning.
(4)
Jennifer R.
My first impression upon turning around the corner for brunch this morning was shock at seeing a ten person line outside the restaurant. Clearly, this place has good reviews, and I definitely see why. Inside (the line moves fairly quickly; we were waiting for about fifteen minutes) its cozy and the service is very friendly. You go get your own drinks, which does have its set backs, but I mean honestly it's not that bad. The food was DELICIOUS - I had french toast stuffed with banana and nutella, and a side of eggs. Meanwhile, my mother had the most amazing scrambled eggs complete with literally the best "homefries" (glorified mashed potatoes) that I've ever had. It was absolutely fabulous. The wait is a little annoying, and the service was sometimes slow, but if you time it right, it should be fine. If you're looking for a great brunch place in the Davis/Porter area, this is absolutely it.
(4)
BJ W.
Don't let the hype of the new place next door get to you. This is the original and still the best. The hashbrowns are killer and they now have a bar. And if you don't feel like going out (during the week), they will deliver, too. Does it get any better?
(5)
Sara C.
Went here in the middle of winter and def hit the spot. Got the stuffed pancakes, wayyyyy too much food. Other people at my table got something different than they had ordered - close but not what the description said. Worth another shot.
(3)
Rinn S.
Three stars may sound harsh given how much people looooove this place, but Sound Bites has some intense competition for my breakfast dollar. And they frankly do not live up to the hype. And by hype I mean the long line of people who are willing to wait for half an hour in the cold to eat here. I'm sorry, but its not worth the line. The food is pretty good (home-fries are the high point), but its crowded with too many tables and people, the place is small so you get a freezing draft every other minute when the door opens, and the wait staff rush you SO much that I've had my plate taken out from under me as I lifted food to my mouth. Not cool. If you want quality food in a non-sucky environment, venture further afield to Town Deluxe, brunch at Johnny D's, the basic Kelly's diner down the street, Tommy Doyle's for Irish style breakfast, Brookline Lunch, Centre St. Cafe, hell I've even had a better time at El Guapo right next door when I gave up on the line. Bostonians, you can do better.
(3)
Doug A.
OK, I finally made it to this place on a Sunday morning to see what the fuss is about. The self-serve coffee was typical bitter diner brew -- I've had much worse is about the best I can say. Our orders were taken and delivered promptly. My challah french toast was a bit rubbery, but was covered with a very generous mound of fresh fruit slices and whipped cream. My wife's egg was runny and underdone. When the owner came over to ask how our meal was, she started to mention the egg and he turned and walked away in mid-sentence. Sorry, Mister Egg Artiste, for harshing your buzz! We won't be coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Robert Z.
One of the many joys of fatherhood has been re-discovering Sound Bites. Come here at 11:00 on a Saturday, and you'll be fighting for a table with hundreds of Tufts undergrads and Somerville hipsters. But, when your toddler drags you out of bed at 6:00 on your day off, you might as well treat yourself to a hot cup of joe and a stack of fluffy hot cakes in peace. The often-abrupt staff is even a little more laid back in the early mornings, when there's not a massive line of customers staring them down at the door. Who knew that the stroller set owns this joint from dawn until about 10:00?
(5)
Bevin C.
Before you go to Sound Bites, look deep within yourself and answer the following questions: Are you unphased by people swarming around you while you eat? Do you consider it reasonable to wait in line for half and hour for breakfast? Do you love hashbrowns that are like griddle-fried twice baked potatoes? Do you mind paying ten bucks for breakfast? ...if you answered yes to the above questions, you'll really like Sound Bites. If you answered no, skip it and let the masses swarm to Sound Bites without you. Trust me, they don't need your business.
(3)
C. N.
Sound Bites gets all the fame it deserves for breakfast. Go. HOWEVER: They expanded into the neighboring spot and have become a breakfast lunch dinner spot now. This is good for breakfast, because there are more seats now and Yasser doesn't have to be a dick and rush you out. As much. Old habits are hard to break. Lunch and dinner at this place, however, is straight up awful. Like they can't do a cheeseburger awful. Soggy french fries and frozen enchiladas awful. And they DO NOT do breakfast past breakfast time, regardless of what they might tell you on the phone. So here's the recommendation for Sound Bites. Stick with what you know, and be a breakfast all day long place. Your lunch and dinner food is awful. Your breakfast is why you exist. Do what you do well, and people will come. There are no other breakfast all day long places anywhere near you, and you will have a niche. But if you try to keep serving that awful, awful dinner menu, you will go broke.
(3)
Susan D.
Why wait in line for half an hour for ordinary food? Sorry, but I can cook just as well as they do. It is breakfast, forchristsake. Done with the rant. Okay, they have decent omelletes and you can drink your coffee in a real cup like you would if you were at home, which is where you should stay to save yourself from this highly overrated disappointment. Understandably, this is a Tufts staple. Its reputation as the must-have breakfast experience confounds me. I have had similar food, at similar prices in San Diego (Greenflash), though at least I got an ocean view. What do they have offer?!
(2)
Deborah S.
I will never eat at Sound Bites ever again. Getting a decent breakfast is not worth being belittled. I was actually harrassed by the owner. Tufts students~ this place is not worth it! There are so many better breakfast spots in the neighborhood, Ball Sq. Breakfast, Johnny D's, and the Rosebud to name a few. Please stop giving your money to this man! What he does isn't right.
(1)
Dragony F.
Me versus: 3 large apple-cinnamon pancakes, a slice of orange and a bottomless cup of coffee, $8.36 Who wins? me and my pangs for a traditional American breakfast of sugar and fat (which is a good thing!) So I fulfilled my sudden desire for a sweet start to my Sunday morning. Initially, I wanted to go to Simon's or True Ground but they weren't open so I hopped across the street to try Sound Bites, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Arrived here at ~7:30 AM and there were maybe 4 other people in the place (mainly seniors). Not surprisingly, the place got much busier as the morning wore on. Apple cinnamon pancakes = not the best pancakes I have ever had but they did the job, plenty of sliced apples, tons of cinnamon, not very fluffy but not completely flat either, didn't have much flavor but loads of butter and syrup helped. Coffee = pretty good for a diner plus they have mugs and take out cups so you can fill up to go after you're done with your meal since they're BOTTOMLESS! Grab your silverware and coffee before you sit down cuz they don't bring it. Service was brisk and effective. While it wasn't exactly a cheap greasy spoon breakfast, I'll probably return to try their extensive breakfast menu (maybe something savory next time)
(3)
Anthony L.
good, not great, food. fast service.
(3)
Mare F.
I suggest trying it for dinner if you want the Sound Bites experience with neither the crowd nor the wait of brunch time. My partner and I like to drop in when we don't feel like cooking, since it's just around the corner and we've never had to wait for a table. It's full table service at dinner and you don't have to get your own drinks. The entrees I've tried have had a nice home-style recipe taste. It's like going to grandma's for supper without the lecture on your lifestyle choices. Everything on the menu will be something you recognize, and they've pretty much taken the most popular comfort foods from Middle-Eastern, Italian, Mexican and American cuisine and mixed it all together on one menu. The hummus is absolutely delicious and I could make a meal of it. My partner often gets the meatloaf, and it tastes just like when I make it at home. He also enjoyed the baked haddock. I usually get the ravioli, and once I ordered the calamari appetizer as an entree and was completely satisfied. The portions are generous and I usually end up taking half of whatever I ordered home to have for lunch the next day. I've never tried the desserts, and I have to be *very* full to say no to baklava. I wouldn't say drive 3 hours from Western Mass for it, but if you live in the neighborhood and you just want and old favorite dish for dinner that isn't take-out-y, I think it's a great option to have right nearby.
(5)
Derek W.
My buddy Matt C. turned me on to this place after I tried (and was disappointed by) Ball Square Cafe and I finally tried it this morning. Let me tell you, Soundbites is better in basically every way. The sweet pepper corned beef hash was amazing (the best I've ever had). I'm so used to corned beef hash being way too salty, but this one was perfectly seasoned. It had a really nice crust on it too. My eggs were cooked correctly (over easy) and were excellent with a little hot sauce. I tried the smashed homefries which I thought were pretty good at Ball Square and was blown away by how much more flavor they had here. The decor and atmosphere were a little more unique and homey, as well, which I really liked. They also have a full bar, something you don't see at most breakfast-y places. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that that the original is better than the imitator, but I am a little surprised that it's so much better. Great job Sound Bites; I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Nicole M.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. Sadly, I've only been twice I think because we like to do brunch with a bunch of people, and this place just can't accommodate us all since they're always so packed on the weekends. But the times I have been there were fantastic, the food was amazing! No, there's not much to it and the wait is long and the service grim, but for me, totally worth it.
(4)
Alyssa N.
I became an instant fan when E and I were seated within 3 minutes of arriving for brunch on a busy Sunday. The menu reminded me of the Modern Diner in Pawtucket - stuffed French toast, elaborate pancakes, creative versions of Benedict... The Hollandaise sauce on my Green Eggs no Ham (eggs Benedict with spinach) wasn't too rich and the spinach was fresh. The home fries at this place were more like mashed potatoes and would've been perfect if not for all the garlic. I'm also a big fan of the self-serve juice/coffee/tea bar.
(4)
Erin S.
Hands down best french toast ever. Thick slices of bread with a hint of cinnamon and orange zest. Pile on amazingly fresh and exotic fruits and you have the most amazing and satisfying breakfast ever. The coffee is delicious and self serve, which apparently some people dislike, but I enjoy - it allows you to mix and match flavors without seeming weird. I have never had a problem with service - you sit down, you order, you're served. I didn't need more than that, so goal achieved. We also had the eggs benedict with avocado and tomato which was also delicious. Do they draw a crowd? Yes, but why is that a negative? Clearly, people are waiting in line for a reason! I have never had to wait - we've been lucky and have always just missed the rush. Is the service fast and seemingly rushed at times? Yes, but it's interesting that the same people complaining about the wait are then complaining about feeling rushed. Hello!?!? You can't have it both ways people. This isn't a leisurely Sunday brunch place. It's a popular, fast, cheap, fresh and delicious diner breakfast in a college kid filled neighborhood. Get in, fill your belly, get out, stop whining. If you're a waitress staring down a line wrapped outside of people staring down the patrons sitting inside, you'd probably try to move things along also. I took off one point because the tables are so close together that the person behind me bumped me every time they moved. Other than that, a delicious and satisfying experience.
(4)
Jacob E.
I guess there are two types of people in Boston, the kind that love Sound Bites, and the kind that will eventually get thrown out (although I think the owner has mellowed in the last couple of years). For what it's worth, this is the place I bring New Yorkers to show them that we understand brunch in this city. Anyway, there's nothing I could say about Sound Bites that hasn't been said funnier in other comments, so I'll just make some menu recommendations: the Best Blue is a solid choice, the stuffed french toast is great, and make sure somebody in your group orders the hash browns -- they're garlicky and delicious. And seriously, do us all a favor and decide what you're going to eat while you're waiting in line.
(5)
Paula G.
Imagine, I am giving my friend tips on Godiva Choclate while I look at the huge bottle of a Godiva Bottle. I adore this place from the coffee to the breakfast (eggs over eazy etc....
(5)
C.M. M.
Great food! Nice breakfast menu - try the burrito.
(4)
amule l.
It is pure and simple, you better check this place out! Great food and atmosphere. A must check out place for all newcomers to Somerville.
(4)
H S.
Brunch here, like other reviewers will attest to, is unreal. Everything is stuffed and fruited-out and it's awesome. Coffee is bottomless and reallllly good. The staff seems a little clueless and scattered, and the place itself is pretty cramped and bustling, but it's a really good deal for a really good brunch.
(4)
Greg D.
Ok, still don't like the pancakes but the rest can be very good. I can vouch for the eggs and stuffed french toast -- both very tasty -- so boosted this place to 3 stars.
(3)
John H.
Breakfast is a pretty simple meal to cook. Just don't burn anything. They didn't burn or otherwise over/under cook anything, so there's the second star. I just didn't taste quality in the ingredients in waffles or omelets. Everything tasted like premixed or precooked. I am always surprised to see the lines there as I drive by on weekend mornings. I think the owner was the one who collected our money. He seemed to be upset about something and that he was doing us a favor by taking our money. I'll never bother him again.
(2)
Anonymous P.
I should state that I'm not a fan of breakfast foods. Sound Bites didn't make me come around. The banana nut pancakes were...well...pancakes. They were fine, even pleasant, but I don't see what's so remarkable about them. I'd even say they were slightly flawed in that the banana was so underripe in places that it was bitter and tannic. The noplacelikehomefries, as everyone says, are fried mashed potatoes. I doubt that America will experience a fried mashed potatoes craze any time soon, but they were OK. The turkey sausage was mundane. Service was actually friendly and smiley. Everything was fine, but all the reviews (not just on this site) make it sound like it's a must go destination, and I don't see that. I found the Middle Eastern food they serve for lunch terrible. Bland, dry falafel with a foul tasting tahini sauce. Mediocre pita bread. Poorly executed salad with an unpleasant salad dressing. Really this place is ludicrously overhyped. I can't believe people wait in line to eat standard bacon, eggs, and pancakes. You can get a much better, less filling breakfast with the world's best coffee for a lower price at True Grounds across the street.
(2)
Dorie C.
I've been coming to Sound Bites religiously for well over a decade. Their homefries are the best I've ever had--semi-garlicky mashed potatoes fried on a grill with a crispy top. Need I say more? The waffle is topped with an outrageous amount of fruit and whipped cream and the omelets are very, very hearty--favorites include the Tunisian (olives, feta, tomato) and Art, Tom & Jack (artichoke, tomato and monterey jack cheese). The prices are great. Lines are long on weekend mornings, so it's advisable to come before 10am if you want to avoid a wait.
(5)
Rachel J.
Great brunch food! So many options! Good if you have a large group who wants lunch or breakfast.
(4)
Jon R.
Food: 5 stars Staff: 0 stars The food can't be beat, as evidenced by the people lining up around the block. Unfortunately, the staff and owner know this, and think it gives them permission to be jerks. If you want to have a nice relaxing brunch, this is not the place to go. If you want to be rushed through your meal, get your own coffee (and have to fight with the guy to get a cup of ice for iced coffee in the summer, despite it being on the menu), and be crammed in to a tiny space, have fun. Go early or late in the morning, preferably on Saturday. If you go on Sunday after 11, good luck.
(2)
Jill C.
Not really sure why people love to wait in line, outside, to eat what every other breakfast place offers, this is a great wonder of mine. I refuse to go back to Sound Bites becuase it seems like everytime I go to this place I end up waiting 1 hr for food, AFTER ORDERING!! Sorry, but the complimentory fruit bowl, just is not cutting it anymore. The last time I was in, the line outside was only a little outragous, so we waited. When my boyfriend and I got sat, the waitress put us at the corner bar - him on one side, me on the other (forced to pratically makeout with the huge pole in front of my face). Everyone around us seemed to have been waiting endless minutes for their food, so we sort of knew what we were in for. After about 30 minutes it got a little ridiculous, but 50 minutes, without an explination or an apology, out right rude. Don't you think it is necessary to expand your kitchen if you are expanding your dining room? I would think so. I don't see SB doing so well, seeing how their competition next door, Ball Square Cafe, has VERY fresh food and excellent service. If anyone wants to avoid the montrosity of a wait and get some REALLY great breakfast (and lunch for that matter) Ball Square Cafe is the way to go. Sorry Sound Bites, ya' lost us.
(1)
Wham S.
There seem to be a lot of negative reviews for Sound Bites. I can see where some would be put off by the speedy pace. Personally, I love it. I've never been one to enjoy hanging out after eating anyway (as my wife can attest.) The food is great, often full of fresh fruit, and very tasty. The prices are reasonable. Try the fresh fruit bowl! It's enough for the whole table and well worth it. They used to be in the tiny little place next door, and sure, they rushed you out, but that's part of the character of the place. The owner and waiters in their classy striped pants are awesome. They've now moved next door, after their last landlord kicked them out to open up their own little breakfast cafe. Pretty underhanded maneuver. The guy even stole some of Sound Bites' menu. I won't go to that place on principle. Fortunately, Sound Bites was able to take over the mexican restaurant right next door, which is a much bigger place. The decor is still very much mexican. :) There's a reason why there's nearly ALWAYS a line out the door of Sound Bites in the morning. Good food, cool atmosphere, awesome ownership and service.
(5)
Jen H.
I went here for breakfast during a weekday. First off, there was no crowd so they let us sit wherever. They have a great selection of help-your-self coffee. The people I went with really enjoyed the pumpkin coffee. I ordered the cafe mocha, decaf, which was yummy. After the drink, I could not sit still so I'm pretty sure the drink was not decaf. Oh well. I ordered the french toast. The french toast was heavenly! My friends ordered a fruit bowl, huge, and pancakes. The food came out quickly and everyone was happy. I like this place because it's low key, cheap prices, and great food.
(4)
Sandi H.
HOSTILE OWNER. That sums it up. Decent food but at this point I could care less. Me and 3 friends were seated today at 10:15am. The service was fast but unfriendly. We'd heard that there would be a line out the door and were glad to see that the line was shorter (indoors) and that there was even room at the bar to eat if things were really backed up. When they dropped the check, one friend scooped it into his hand and said "my treat". Over the next 10 minutes, 3 different people asked if we had gotten the check. The 4th time, it was the owner who asked (I think he was the owner) and I said to him "Yes, we have it, and you're the 4th person to ask." He went NUTS. Started yelling, and he said "the next time you see a long line you will know that you can't sit here for hours and keep people waiting". Um, we'd been there barely 45 minutes, and like I said, half the bar was empty AND the line was about 4 parties deep indoors. We probably "lingered" post check 5-10 min tops. We got up to leave. Other tables looked up at him as he yelled "don't be angry." We hadn't said another word after my comment. We smiled and nodded at the people staring and left. We stood out on the sidewalk talking about where to go next (we were all seeing a friend in town from Milwaukee for the first time in 3 years). That's when we got a real shock. The owner came outside and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me on the sidewalk and said "Just to be clear, I am not rude, you are rude. You were very rude." I nodded and said "ok". Then he started to walk back in. When he got to the door, he turned around and started yelling at me again. "You are selfish. You are very selfish. TO eat one hour and keep people waiting, that is selfish. I don't ever want to see you come back here again. I don't want you as a customer. Go next door next time." People on the street turned to look at him. We all stood there literally with our jaws hanging open. One friend said "Did that really just happen?". I feel that I should say that I am a female customer, and his coming out to stand next to me and yell felt pretty aggressive. Maybe my comment that he was the 4th person to ask about the check was a little bit of push back, but I don't think it warranted a hostile attack. And, for him to exit the building after I had left just to yell at me was something he initiated after the fact. So- you know what? I liked the self-serve coffee (no waiting), I liked the food, and the menu is interesting and creative. I wanted to try just about everything on the menu and would have gone back again to do so. But being screamed at by an owner with a character disorder? No thanks.
(1)
Gloria C.
Dear Sound Bites was an integral part of my college experience. Not only did I learn that some things in life are worth waking up before noon for, but it introduced me to warm grilled blueberry muffins smothered with butter. Oh my goodness. Oh. my. goodnesssss.
(4)
Arun C.
I've been hearing about this place for a while, but finally got the chance to try it out this morning. My friend and I got there after the brunch rush (2ish) so we weren't subjected to the brisk treatment my friends had warned me about. I had the pear & goat cheese stuffed French toast with a side of their homefries and a cup of fresh squeezed oj. It was all excellent and reasonably priced.
(4)
sara m.
wow I wish I got to see the owner swearing at people! I love sh*t like that. He's always been super nice (my boyfriends been going here for a million years so they always exchange pleasantries). So I guess if you are eating here and see a long line of people waiting and they bring you your order in 5 minutes flat eat it and be on your merry way. As for the food, anything with avocado or fruit is the way to go. The mash potato hash browns are fantastic. Portions are huge, if you try to be a hero and finish your plate you will need a nap.
(5)
B D.
went there for breakfast twice. food is very good. busy place, so plan on waiting a bit. you can have a coffee outside while in line, so that'll warm u up a bit, which is great. as soon as you're done though, they'll pretty much kick you out lol.
(4)
Chris S.
Ever since moving into the expanded space next-door, formerly occupied by El Guapo, owner Yassir has been a new man. Exceedingly friendly and warm with guests, allowing you time to finish and enjoy, the former "breakfast nazi" is able to abandon his former shtick of rushing folks along now that he's expanded beyond the 8-10 table space 'Bites formerly occupied. As for the menu, it remains unchanged and still features comfort-food inspired breakfast favorites like "Boston's Best Blue," a "simple cheese om" with a grilled bluberry muffin, diner style. There are also still the unusual surprises such as owner and staff-inspired Moroccan breakfast finds and the truly exceptional stuffed french toast, my favorite being done with apricot preserves. The hash browns, a griddled block of mashed potato with just the right amount of pepper are still amazing and, for my money, are best when ordered with the "Green Eggs, No Ham" a well-put-together eggs florentine. Do yourself a favor and get this dish with the (surprisingly) exquisite hollandaise on the side, it makes for an unbelievable hash brown dip. The new space also offers a full bar and now serves dinner as well but it's still most popular with the weekend breakfast crowd that can be seen queued up on any Saturday or Sunday on the sidewalk outside enjoying their self-serve coffee.
(4)
Alyssa L.
I've been going to Sound Bites for years starting at the small space they used to be located. Even if there is a line you don't have to wait long. I've always been a huge fan--incredibly hard to beat the delicious food and wonderful variety for a great price as well! I've brought many friends here and they love it too. My all time favorites are: stuffed french toast with goat cheese & pear, challah french toast with fruit & cream, boston's best blue and the scone plate. And don't forget the home fries. Sound Bites is one of my favorite breakfast places and is always a treat!
(5)
jim b.
Went once because of the hype. Wasn't impressed at all. Went a second time because I figured I just got unlucky the first time. Nope. When they changed storefronts, went a third time, I just couldn't believe all those people waiting in line were sooo wrong. It seems they were. I tried three different types of breakfast foods, none were over mediocre. I didn't have the bad service so many people complain about, but honestly, this is at best the third best breakfast place in Ball Square. Not good.
(2)
Geoff T.
The eatery that torments me. I will not eat here. The three star rating is because I would give the service one star and the food four or five. When it is crowded in there I have seen the owner take people's plates before they were done eating, literally toss a sign in someone's face because they were finishing their coffee a little too slow and, my personal favorite, toss a woman's jacket out the door when he thought she was dawdling a little too long. The food is great. If you are a vegitarian you can get veggie links instead of sausage, a nice touch. If you happen to find the place when not crowded, go in and have a delicious breakfast. I for one will never patronize a place that treats their customers like complete trash the moment they have paid for their breakfast.
(3)
Ryan P.
Finally decided to treat myself to breakfast in Somerville. After hearing the Phantom Gourmet talk about Somerville's Breakfast Wars, I knew I had to get to Ball Square. I decided to check out Sound Bites first and the experience was great. I agree with it being pricey but the food was excellent. Having a waffle with fresh fruit was really a treat and made for one of the top breakfast meals I've had in a long time. Not to busy during the week.
(4)
Patrick D.
Best breakfast in town, food is great and service is quick. You may have to wait a bit for a table, but such is the reality of going to a place that is in high demand. The fact that you can get your own coffee (and refills) is a real plus. The hash browns rock and the muffins are s-weet. Check it out, you won't be let down. Also, they are very accomodating to children.
(5)
Jeffrey L.
Unreasonable service. Adequate food. ... Sheep.
(1)
Sally R.
I've been going here since I was taking dance lessons at a now-defunct school across the way and I still love it. Soundbites....it is not super-fancy, but it's tasty, affordable and a fun time. I love to get the brunch and I love the fresh pasteries.
(5)
Lucy x.
Sound Bites has a huge fan club. It's thronged every weekend, and everybody suggests it when brunch comes up. But try as I may, I can't find anything great to say about it. Okay, one thing: The owner is nice. The food, however, is not. For example, their signature dish (Moroccan Eggs) is watery, bland, and nearly egg-free. I cannot fathom the appeal.
(2)
Kelly A.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to write a review for Soundbites as it's been my favorite breakfast joint for years. At first the service was quite rushed and unfriendly, but that didn't last too long. After going for a while, they started remembering what I wanted to drink (unsweetened iced tea with lemon, please) and what my husband wanted to eat (always the same, green eggs no ham). They actually are quite nice and friendly folks, and they make some damn fine breakfast. Some of my favorite items include the french toast stuffed with goat cheese and fresh pear and the scone plate that features scrambled eggs with cheddar and dill. I also quite enjoy the Boston's Best Blue, which comes with a lovely grilled muffin. Obviously the homefries are the best ever and I could likely live on them alone for the rest of my life. And they finally have veggie sausage. Oh yes. Heart Soundbites.
(5)
Josh F.
A cozy little place (I don't think it has more than 15 tables) on Broadway in Ball Square, it does have great food at reasonable prices. The breakfasts are locally famous, especially the home fries. Good variety and plenty of veggie options. Many items have a slight Middle Eastern flair but in no way is this a Middle Eastern restaurant; omelettes and french toast are the norm. It's also famous for the wait on weekends as it is popular with the late-rising college crowd. Take the advice of the other reviewers and don't screw around after you're done. The service can be Soup Nazi-esque, but it is very efficient. Order, eat and leave. Weekdays are much less crowded and, therefore, much more relaxed.
(4)
bella c.
okay.... so the food is good, but who wants to be rushed for breakfast??? not me, we used to go there on occasion but now we just go to Kelly's Diner instead, at least your not rushed and the food is just as good and less expensive...
(3)
Gregory M.
great food, especially at that price. perfect comfort food place, great to wake up to after a long sat night. ever since the move to the larger establishment, you get seated faster (no long line), but served a little slower. still, better to sit indoors than outside!
(5)
Sean H.
That long line outside the breakfast/brunch place? Completely worth it. Go in and get some coffee to make the wait shorter, and when you finally get in, just blindly point at the menu, because it's all that damn good.
(5)
L S.
Great place to have breakfast! The place is small and is always packed so I recommend either going on a weekday or going super early on the weekend. The food is really great. I especially like the grilled blueberry muffins.
(3)
Jessica H.
There is always such a long line outside of this place that I thought it had to be good. So, I tried it and it was. The hash browns are absolutely incredible. They have pretty good prices too. I have never experienced the soup nazi myself. I guess if you go in and order right away and get out as soon as you're done, he leaves you alone. Try it guys! I mean it.
(4)
Juliette V.
This is a great place breakfast in Ball Square near Tufts. It gets crowded on the weekends so get there early or bring the paper for entertainment while you wait in line. Omar, has been the chef here for years. You can taste his Algerian heriatge's influence in some of the menu items. My favorites are the Moroccan eggs and the garlic homefries (which are more like mashed potatos).
(4)
Julie G.
Boston's Best Blue is my favorite breakfast. Ever. YUM!
(4)
Ling W.
Omelettes were great, but so big! Chill but fun atmosphere, and bottomless serve-yourself coffee/tea/etc.
(4)
Brittany L.
Sound bites had quickly become my favorite breakfast place within walking distance to my apartment. Three times now me and my boyfriend have tried to go to Ball Square cafe (around 8 am, by no means late in the morning) only to find a line out the door (possibly a testament to how delicious their food is but I have yet to find out). And three times now we decided to go back to Sound bites instead to be promptly sat. First, the service. The owner is very friendly as are all the staff. I don't love navigating the small aisles to get to the self-serve coffee station, but it is nice to not have to flag down a waiter when I want a refill. Food has consistently come out in less than 10 minutes and has always been piping hot. We were offered a complimentary fruit plate last time we went and the fruit was incredibly fresh and a good variety (melon, kiwi, strawberry, mango, blueberries). The food is excellent. Their scrambled eggs are fluffy and seasoned perfectly. The French toast is hands down the best I have had in the Boston area, perfectly fluffy on the inside with a buttery crisp exterior. They have a kind stuffed with ricotta cheese and honey which sounded heavenly. Their home fries are actually mashed potatoes that have been fried on a griddle and have a nice crispy coating. Omelette are wonderful, highly recommend trying the mushroom and Boursin. Long story short, everything we've had has been phenomenal and we will probably give up trying Ball Square cafe since Sound Bites is everything we could want out of a breakfast place.
(5)
James V.
Food is always served promptly and hot and delicious they have a great menu with many options in each category but was disappointed to find out that for many years that I have been leaving tips that have not been going to the waist staff I was told by a past employee that the owner takes all tips and does not share them with staff.very disappointing to find this out.
(5)
Aaron K.
Ball Square is head and shoulders above this place and it's right next door. We have always visited Ball Sq. in the past but on Saturday morning ball sq had a 20 person line compared to 2 people at soundbites. We were seated immediately and once we got inside we could see why as tables were crammed everywhere. This place is large and can probably hold twice as many people as ball square. Some food was good, some not so good. Fiance had good eggs bene with grilled mashed (grilled mashed portion was half the size of next door). This plate was good. However my french toast came with some of their grilled mashed under it. So imagine eating some sweet french toast with some heavy mashed potatoes. Not my favorite (and inexcusable). This leads me to believe they are running a chop shop in here where they are rushing out as much food to cover as many guests and checks as possible. I also had a piece of green spinach on my french toast. One highlight was the eggs and cheese crossaintwich our friend ordered which the crossaint came slightly grilled. He enjoyed this more than his pancakes. Service was average until the end. Servers are running around with a lot of checks at once and finding where to put them by table number. Someone took our credit card and check and 3 other people came over to ask us if we had paid yet, yes we gave our credit card to a server. While we were sitting finishing our drinks and conversation one server was taking away plates from the table next to us and stacked their dirty plates on our table before taking them to the kitchen. RUDE. This and other looks from servers led us to believe that we were being pushed out the door only seconds after paying the check. Food and service are better next door. Next time we will wait.
(2)
Anton K.
Great brunch place. The lineup moves very quickly so don't be discouraged!
(4)
Carla M.
I have been enjoying delicious breakfasts (or brunches) at Sound Bites for many, many years, and the quality of the food never wavers. The omelettes are terrific, and there is a wide variety to choose from. My favorite is the Tuscan - portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese and basil. (And, it's no problem getting it with egg whites only). The fruit is amazingly fresh. They really care about the quality of what they serve, and it shows!
(5)
Laura F.
We've been coming here for 17 years for weekend breakfast/brunch, and it never disappoints. From the wonderful strong coffee at the self-serve to the great omelette plates with unique home fry patties, to the mouth-watering pancakes and waffles with fresh fruit, we are always happy to share sweet and savory foods at our table. Yesser always greets us with a smile and the service is prompt and gracious.
(5)
Richard K.
Breakfast food at its best. Don't order more than one thing (the portions are enormous)
(5)
Jeff M.
If Yelp existed when I moved to the area back in 2000, I'd likely be the Duke of this place. I have been here countless times, long before they moved into the defunct Mexican restaurant that was next door to them and when the lines were actually 20+ people long vs. only a handful at a time. The "new" location is easily 3x as much square footage as in the old joint which is now a rival breakfast place in its own right. Plus, they now serve booze. Even though I'm not a morning drinker, many people loves themselves a good bloody mary in the morning to help with the hangover from the night before and from what I've heard, they are pretty delish here as well. You'll be seated as quickly as a table is cleared which is often less than a minute. You'll have exactly 1 minute and 37 seconds to decide what to have....that's why if you are waiting in line, pick up a menu and study it! Your food will be out in 3 minutes and 42 seconds and you'll have 12 minutes and 16 seconds to finish your food before they begin removing your plates for the people still standing out in the cold. My three favorite dishes at SB are the mushroom & boursin omelette, the challah french toast and the unique to Soundbites, Golden Grill. I'd say out of all the times I've been to Soundbites, I have ordered the Golden Grill the most times. It comes with a grilled corn muffin which tastes nothing like D&D, a side of the now famous garlic hash browns (an absolute must for anyone who loves garlic and potatoes), two eggs and a piece of Canadian bacon. I believe the price is only about $7 which for food this good, is an absolute steal. There are countless other options here that are delicious, I don't believe I've ever taken an out of town here who had a bad experience, nor can I think of a time I was disappointed by my food, ever. You've heard scary stories about how you'll be rushed out by the breakfast Nazi. That lines will snake into Cambridge to get in. Soundbites CAN be somewhat intimidating. The ONLY thing that has ever irked me is finding out the price of the bottomless cup of coffee on the end of my bill coming to $2.75. My g/f rarely drinks more than a half cup of coffee but she loves the idea of choosing from 50 flavors of coffee and syrups to put in so this is the only thing that doesn't come to a deal here for us. If you think you can find a better place to have breakfast/brunch in the Boston area then you're nuts. Soundbites is an experience, albeit a quick one where you are in and out in less than 45 minutes each and every time and don't realize how amazing it was until the 3 hr nap takes over in the afternoon after stuffing your face full of Syrian goodness.
(5)
Saige B.
This is the type of place that Boston (downtown) needs. I go to serious lengths to find a good breakfast spot in Boston and alas, I finally find one in Somerville! With a little Somerville flavor, this spot serves great grub at a great price. From the breakfast basics to scrumptious looking stuffed French Toast, this place will definitely keep me coming back. Also, there is a pretty cool beverage bar/spot where you can concoct your coffee/tea/juice beverage of your choice. I'll definitely be coming back to more.
(5)
R L.
I've been a faithful customer since 2009. The owners are the friendliest and most hospitable in the Boston area. While living in Boston, whenever I had brunch plans with local friends or friends from out of town, we were going to Sound Bites. I moved to Portland, Maine a year ago and no matter what - when I'm visiting friends in Boston, we're going to Sound Bites for brunch. No questions asked. In short: Best brunch in the city. Period.
(5)
Cara B.
One of the best brunches I have ever had. Hands down. The line out front can be off putting, but it moves very fast. The service is not amazing, but for how crowded the restaurant is, the staff does an awesome job. The food came out ridiculously fast even though the place was packed. The menu is incredible. There were so many things I wanted to try: pumpkin pancakes, nova omelette, and stuffed french toast, but I opted for the Boston's best blue (?) which consisted of a cheddar omelette, grilled blueberry muffin, bacon, and their amazing potatoes. The bacon was cooked perfectly. I am not even a big bacon person but this bacon was amazing. Not too crispy but not too undercooked. Their potatoes are what seemed like grilled mashed potatoes and they were ridiculously good. Also, fresh squeezed orange juice. Definitely a great addition to an awesome meal. And I think they even serve mimosas! Everyone else at my table ordered an omelette and everyone left very full and very happy. I can't wait to return next week because I know I will be coming back that soon.
(5)
Rachel N.
I love brunch in theory, but I'm a tough cookie to please, in practice. Sound Bites is a 3.5 - and given that there are close to 500 reviews of this place, I can't really add anything to the conversation, but I figured I'd throw in my two cents anyway as I'm bored and waiting to pick up A from the airport. To show my devotion to the meal of breakie, I should mention that when I was a tubby kid, my pediatrician had to sit my parents down and explain that it was not normal for a 6 year old to eat 10-15 pancakes in one sitting...so needless to say, I could eat myself silly with these carbohydrate delights -- and every time I've been to Sound Bites, the pancakes are fairly tasty -- the berry ones and the banana walnut pancakes are quite solid, though every so often the center will be raw-ish still....a no go -- but they have a great selection of a variety of pancakes, waffles, and challah French toast, as well as a banging range of omelettes. Most recently I hit to jalapeno omelette (+ egg whites, - cheese), which was nice and has shockingly tasty avocado tucked inside of it (in med-Feb, to boot) -- no complaints here, but idk.... I do get fussed that the food comes out lukewarm most of the time. It gives the impression of being in a fancy college cafeteria rather than a resto. Don't go here if you're looking to linger -- they ask you to order abt 30sec after sitting and the waiters basically run away as soon as they scribble your demands -- it's not a service joint, but it is a place to get a lotttttt of fairly decent breakie food at reasonable prices (and you get to scope out all the Tufts undergrad walk of shames parading down Broadway). Overall, it's better than most places in terms of selection, but as usual, the menu sounds better than the foodstuffs IRL -- but obs I'll be back, as I cannot stay away from a place w/ serve yourself coffee. Ever.
(3)
Martha L.
OK, I really like the atmosphere: it's bustling and pretty friendly, and I like the self service coffee. But, really, the food just isn't that great. I had the egg scramble and scone, and that blueberry scone was just baffling. Tasted super artificial and the consistency was warm and a bit gummily undercooked. The hash browns are mashed potatoes that they flatten and sautee: but there's no nice onion or garlic thing going on. The whole effect is just meh. I would not go back, and there's no way I'd wait in line for this food. My husband had a waffle with fruit and whipped cream and that was better. I don't want to slam the place but I think they could up their game a bit.
(2)
Vanessa L.
Finally tried this place for the first time this past weekend. Despite being crazy busy and having a line down the block when I got there at 11am (my brother says it's not as busy earlier around 9), we didn't have to wait too long. For as busy as it was, the service was prompt, food was quick and delicious, and the place runs like a machine. All of the employees seemed very cheery and friendly which was the first thing I noticed. We were sat by the host, had our order taken by server, dishes cleared by busser, and check taken and cashed out by a sweet older woman. Talk about teamwork. They have bottomless coffee - hot or iced! Which was amazing. Iced coffee with breakfast and a refill to go! The coffee/tea bar was a huge highlight in my opinion. I got a breakfast sampler (forget the name) that came with eggs, meat, toast, and choice of French toast or pancakes. I went with the pancakes and was able to get pumpkin pancakes. They were awesome. No syrup necessary. They also have a bar here and I came so close to ordering a mimosa. They have several different flavors too. Trying one next time. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that it's a little pricey for a breakfast place. My breakfast and coffee came to $15 plus tip. It was delicious so it was probably worth it..
(4)
Alexander N.
Incredible high-quality food, spectacular and occasionally exotic combinations incorporating such wonderful ingredients as poached pears, Boursin cheese, and Mascarpone. Never less than perfect.
(5)
JD H.
This is a tough review to score so here's the break down: Pros: Best Fruit plate (including next door's) huge chunks of ripe mango and papaya all food is great! Cons: On several occasions we have been rudely rushed out the door (a few weekends ago my husband and I brought his parents here. We ordered a lot of food and as soon as they cleared our plates 3 DIFFERENT people came over to shoo us out within 5 minutes. One actually said, "there are tables waiting- please take your coffees to go." I get it. They do a killing on the weekends. I've worked brunch at other places and I get the turn and burn mentality. It's just that we were in there for maybe 30 minutes spent 60 bucks and were being ASKED to leave. If it wasn't for the service this place would be 5 stars.
(2)
Robert O.
I like this place. Almost a lot. I come here once a month to once every other month. Its a place I remember to come to, and think of when I want to somewhat impress someone. Here's the upside. The food is pretty much good all the time. The menu is huge, it will take you at least 10 minutes just to decide. Doesn't matter what you order, or how many people in your group ordering, the food will be out in 3-5 minutes. Shocking speed. Also---all you can drink coffee. With a cute selection of coffee mugs. The downside---you will be RUSHED to sit down, order and eat and get out by the staff. Its a speed demon brunch spot---they want to hustle the hell out of you. They try to be smiling and friendly, but they can't help themselves----get in, sit down, order, eat, leave. Like cattle getting slaughtered. No masking it, they're just processing you. So that part is disenchanting.
(3)
Pat D.
Best place to eat in somerville hands down. The owner is very generous and always treats us well. Id recommend anyone going there!
(5)
Eric F.
I haven't had to tear apart a place in a while, but for all I've heard about this brunch joint...it was painfully underwhelming. I feel bad as my friend raved about Sound Bites and they'll at least have the benefit of the doubt that their Eggs Benedict was passable. I had the Stuffed French Toast with goat cheese and pears...and it was the worst execution I've had the misfortune of experiencing. The battered bread was lifeless and bland while the fruit lacked any hint of freshness. Being my favorite brunch dish, it says a lot when I considered leaving half of mine to be trashed. Oh and while this wasn't the first time I've seen an extra charge for real maple syrup, those restaurants at least serve very good brunch. As for beverages, the self-serve coffee was an interesting change of pace until I learned that it's charged by the cup. I can't think of a single place that pulls nonsense like that on average coffee brewed en masse, not even Denny's does it as far as I know. Lastly, the service is rushed. Very rushed. We had people come by at least 2-3 times asking prematurely if we were done with our plates. Sorry, but I'm not about to tolerate being hurried to finish crappy food.
(1)
Kelly L.
While this place is great for brunch, I regularly come by on weekdays after work for a beer and some food. Both Chris and Greg are great bartenders/hosts, super nice and attentive even when it's wicked busy. The food is consistently good. They have an awesome trivia night on Thursdays (you should probably call ahead though!). The kitchen staff and bussers are also great and really nice. I've met the owner/manager a few times and he seems like a good guy. The food is an interesting and very wide mix: breakfast anytime, typical pub fair, surprisingly good pasta dishes and a number of signature middle eastern/Moroccan items that are great.
(5)
N D.
OVER RATED! I went with friends a few days ago and was expecting great things. Things were less than impressive. Make no mistake, there is nothing wrong with the food, but there is also nothing great. There is usually a line up outside and I have no idea why.....
(2)
Molly S.
I absolutely love this place! My friends/boyfriend and I go here a lot. The food is amazing; the prices are right; the atmosphere is laid back; and the staff is very friendly. Most importantly, you will never leave hungry and always find something to eat, whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or like me and you eat anything and everything. I highly recommend the broadway bowl. It's a huge amount of food to take on but it's amazing and such a smart dish -- layers of delicious breakfast food all in one bowl with the potatoes at the bottom, the veggies in the middle, the eggs at the top, and toast on the side. Don't miss their stuffed french toast, inventive pancakes, and even something as simple as their fruit plate is really large and includes every type of fruit imaginable. (It's so much more than just your average tiny side plate of melon.) Go there and enjoy! Plus, the drinks are self-serve which is fun so you don't have to wait for someone to bring them to you and you can keep getting up to get more coffee which offers many different flavors. Enjoy!
(4)
Jennifer H.
I was really disappointed in Sound Bites when the man and I went in for breakfast. It was a Friday morning, not too busy. There was no wait. I don't mind the self service drink bar and the iced coffee was fine. No complaints there. I ordered the Crab Eggs Benedict. The eggs were poached well and the hollandaise was good but the crab was freezing cold and that really made for a weird contrast in the dish. I totally understand that they store the crab in the fridge but how hard is it to warm something up before adding to the dish? The man ordered a meat lovers omelet with pepper jack cheese and was a few bites in when he realized that there was no cheese in the omelet. He would have mentioned it to the server, but after dropping off our meals we never saw our server again until he walked by the table and dropped the check on it. Without a word to ask how the meal was. The service was just not great and if the food was spectacular it would be easier to overlook that, but the food was just mediocre. I doubt we will be back.
(2)
Mike K.
Soundbites is by the best breakfast in the boston area! You cannot find as fresh fruit (mango is bomb), meats, and most delicious pancakes anywhere but here! Not to mention, every time I go to this restaurant, I'm treated like a king! They take care of my friends and family with welcoming smiles and the best customer service I've ever experienced :) mango / pineapple pancakes - delicious :)
(5)
Brian N.
This place is amazing for breakfast, great service, great food....can't beat this place. Try the pomegranate mimosa! I had that and a bacon egg cheese with hollandaise....amazing. As a bonus, the owner is the man, he's the most down-to-earth owner I've met (and you'll likely meet him). Extremely quick service, nice people...exactly what you want out of a place. I also went here for dinner- their food is amazing, and it's not crowded (yet) since it's known as a breakfast spot...highly recommend for any meal.
(5)
Zoya D.
This is my favorite place! Their food is absolutely delicious, and the cornbeef hash is to die for! Oh, and the Broadway Bowl too! oh, and the omelettes! I tried a little bit of everything, and I was happy with every dish I got. The line looks long on weekends, but it moves superfast, thanks to its employees keeping a constant eye on the tables and they rotate them immediately. The manager Yasser is a great guy, and really cares about his patrons, I always enjoy seeing him. The entire team at Sound Bites is a well-oiled machine and everything comes out fast and well prepared. Love this place :)
(5)
Emily G.
Worth a try. Pros- well presented meals, good portions, best omelet in recent memory, vegetarian sausages available, coffee tasted way better than Starbucks, biggest breakfast menu I've ever seen. Cons- homefries??? Who are you kidding!? Looks like some fried mashed potato to me... And badly done at that. it took about 7 or 8 minutes for a waiter to ever approach our table- Not during a rush hour, self-service coffee (Which a lot of people have raved about, but I was not impressed with having to get up repeatedly to serve myself at a restaurant with wait staff expecting tips.) and its pricey. Granted, I'm not a local but $38 for breakfast for 3 adults seems steep to me... (Coffee is $3 each) Also I'm not sure if this is more common there or not but they add an 18% gratuity on to parties of FIVE. Which I have never seen anywhere before.
(3)
Bea P.
It stinks that the food is really good here, because the guy managing the place was a complete jerk. Our breakfast was 80.00 bucks for four people?? we didn't order much food and didn't order any alcohol there were some items added to the bill that we didn't get and the jerk was so old school that he would ONLY talk to the men in our group and said your wife is crazy! WOW will never go here again!!
(1)
Shawn M.
Welp... the reputation of this place precedes it. The owner is the coolest guy you'll ever meet. The food is exactly what you'd want after a night of drinking. And the prices are great for what you get. Some highly recommended items: their corned beef hash (some of the best I've had!), their freshly squeezed OJ (also the best I've had), and their fruit bowl is LEGIT! They got like 8 different types of fruit up in dat ish. Check this place out. You'll be glad you did.
(5)
John S.
Some of the best breakfast around anywhere. This place caters to multiple types of people, and should have something for most friend groups (though a little bit of adventurousness and trust in the chefs really helps!). It has the HUGE items for the real eaters, some definite Mediterranean flavor for those looking, some health food for the concerned, and a full bar for those that live the party lifestyle. Tips on cost - this place is priced well, but they will nickle-and-dime you on the little things if you don't know what's up. Coffee usually runs $3, but the money will grant you exclusive access to a land of unlimited awesome coffees. If you feel that you can't drink $3 of coffee while you're there, fill up a take-out cup and live the bold life as you wander the streets of Somerville! Atmosphere is EPIC. I've never sat in a bad spot (maybe I was a little cold once, but I opted to sit outside). It has the cozy nooks, the bar, the outdoor tables, etc. The food here combines the best of fresh vegetables, fruits, and spices with hearty egg-n-cheese breakfast dishes and grilled baked goods. Place a little trust in something that sounds more out-there and you might be rewarded handsomely with great combinations of delicious edibles. The homefries are mashed potatoes - and it's awesome. If you don't want to stare longingly at your tablemates' plates, avoid basic stuff like 2-eggs-n-toast. You didn't come here for that! The lines might get you down a bit (especially if you live the aforementioned party lifestyle), but you can rest assured that the owners are doing their best to push people out in order to get you in. Yeah, it does suck a little bit to be on the other end of that equation - but that is a small price for glory!
(5)
Zoe P.
How do I put this? The best part of my breakfast was the coffee. I had the Moroccan eggs and a side of blueberry pancakes. I must have done something horribly wrong because the food was pretty bad. The veggies in these Moroccan eggs - a house special, the menu says - were undercooked, so I had a huge pile of watery, unpleasantly firm, peppers and onions on top of 3 poached eggs. With a dash of raw cumin. I adore poached eggs, and the eggs here were nicely cooked, but the dish was a lukewarm mess. Salt and hot sauce didn't help. I buttered my rye toast heavily, dunked it in the lovely yolks of those poached eggs and tried to make the best of things. And then the pancakes were made with frozen, wild blueberries. No real crime there: if and when I make pancakes I use frozen fruit too! But not flavorless, tough frozen fruit. The pancakes themselves had a char on them that gave them the flavor of a New Haven apizza. I almost cried. I was actively unhappy while eating pancakes so I stopped. Unheard of. They also brought me a plate of fruit. I have no idea if I paid for it, or it came with my eggs, or what, but it came in second to the coffee in edibility. Yelp reviews, actual people I know, everyone seems to love this place. But I've got better diner food closer to home and I owe the Broadway Diner a huge apology for the doubts I harbored while writing their review. I came on a weekday (was that the problem?), I didn't wait and the staff was so nice that I feel bad about this review. A little.
(1)
Paul G.
Good atmosphere. Avocado & Tomato Eggs Benedict were amazeballs. The hash browns were not to be missed. Dipping them into the runny egg and benedict saucy mess was just what this early riser needed to get him going. Not too impressed with Cafe Latte, but I will try another coffee drink next time. Street parking -- free on Sundays. Otherwise 2hr metered.
(4)
Gail M.
I love Sound Bites. My husband and I (and now our newborn son) frequent Sound Bites on Saturday Mornings and have never had a bad experience. The service is fast, the food is delicious and the coffee bar is great!
(5)
Robert D.
Came here again , and what can I say amazing all the time. I met with the owner I believe and he was such a gentleman We had our baby with us and he brought out fruit and a pancake for her right from the start . Besides great service the place has beyond amazing fruit bowl , B.burritos and French toast waffles etc list goes on and u must go here to Eat!!
(5)
Kim W.
THAT EGGS BENNY THO seriously, if you haven't been to brunch here yet, go. right now. unless you're reading this at night, i mean. the *perfect* spot for a lazy weekend brunch, with a super friendly staff, lots of delicious menu options, and a serve yo'self bottomless coffee bar! this morning, my friend & i sat at one of the few tables that they have outside. though, i think they've expanded their inside dining room since the last time i was here because there was absolutely no line (at 10AM on a sunday. um, what?!). anyways, i ordered the eggs benedict with artichoke hearts & tomatoes, and hiiiii amazing. the eggs were perfectly poached, the home fries were bangin', and the artichoke and tomato added great flavors. an awesome, awesome local joint.
(5)
Benjamin S.
Self serve coffee, brilliant. Every plate that came to our table, brilliant. Price, brilliant.
(5)
Sabrina M.
I am updating my review just to say that I have been contacted by the establishment saying that they have made efforts to get rid of the mice so I am increasing a star however I will never be back at that restaurant since I was a tourist and came for a visit so telling me that the mice are gone is not going to do any good since I cannot be there to enjoy the cleanliness or what have you. This is not coming from a malicious place but I was contacted relentlessly to take my review down and that they have called the "pets company". Where I live, we call it pest control or exterminator or something of that nature. I don't know if "pets company" is Boston lingo. Maybe it was a typo but he did send me about 7 messages including "pets company" in there various times. Since I am not quite sure if the necessary measures have been taken, I will leave it up to future reviewers to tell everyone else about the current situation after the "pets company' has come. I also encourage EVERYONE to write a positive review if they had a positive experience and have seen no mice. I wouldn't want to hurt a business with my review and would definitely want them to thrive if they are doing everything they need to do!
(2)
Fred H.
I always leave this place full and not wanting for more. The issue is trying to get a seat without starving in line. If you come during peak breakfast hours then expect to wait awhile. Peak hours are typically Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you find yourself staring at an impossibly long line then stave off starvation with a cup of coffee or something from Lyndell's bakery just a block or two away. You'll be much less grumpy, trust me. The menu is extensive and has just about anything for anyone. I'm a meat and potatoes guy and I've never been disappointed here. Note, the home fries are of the mashed variety and are good enough to keep me coming back for more. Service is fast once they finally get your order. Sometimes it takes them awhile. Probably because most people are typically rendered indecisive by all of the possible choices. TL;DR - Always busy during peak hours, must try home fries, big menu.
(4)
Terese G.
We stumbled on this cozy spot after attempting to get into all of the top rated breakfast spots listed in Medford, and failing at one after the other (lines and crowds abound!) But this was true serendipity, as we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and time at Sound Bites! You really can't beat a little neighborhood joint with fabulous food on a just-inventive-enough-not-to-be-pretentious menu. Coffee was self-serve, but that didn't take away from the five stars we'd give our waitress. Wish we'd gotten our name - all we can tell you is she's from Long Island, and she was the friendliest person we'd met all weekend as we ate three meals a day out and about in Boston. I had the Irish Eggs Benedict, and would have a hard time choosing something different from the menu. Everything looked so good, but my corned beef hash, poached eggs and hollandaise on English muffins was just too perfect! It's not likely we'll ever have a reason to return to Medford, but Sound Bites might lure us back nonetheless!
(5)
Karen C.
Only reason I can't give this a 5 star is because the wait to get in is awful! If you time it just right, you can walk right in but usually have to wait over 30 min for seating on weekends. The service is super fast which makes up for the long wait. It is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Somerville so far!
(4)
Rich S.
Solid breakfast! Arrived by 8 am and got a table w/ no hassle. Was fighting a bit of a headache and queasy feeling, and the bfast cured it--amazing how that works! PROS: food was very good. I had the Hollywood Bowl, layered with potatoes, peppers and onions, and topped w/ eggs and cheese. Tasty! Clean place; service friendly and prompt; varied menu made it tough to choose from; excellent iced tea CONS: I'm a fan of hash browns, and Sound Bites does a potato cake-thing from mashed potatoes. Mehhh. Cheese on my dish was not melted; lastly, we got the booth next to their bathrooms and cleaning closet--noisy banging throughout bfast Sound bites presents a very good bfast. We'd go again, as there are other menu items that look yummy. However, avoid the booth near the bathrooms!! Cheers! RS
(3)
Allison D.
Not so sure why everyone I know raves about this place. The waiter rushed us to order, then tried to clear our plates while I was still eating. The food is just ok. The coffee is self-serve, as is the juice which you get out of the fridge. Wouldn't go again.
(2)
Brittany M.
Good brunch if you're in a hurry Food is good, service is just ok... I don't mind serving myself a coffee but I've never been to another restaurant where they actually ignore you if you ask for a drink and make you go get your own drink.
(4)
Erin B.
Food is ok. Terrible service. Long wait, crowded dining area. I never understood what all the hype was about. Go next door to Ball Square Cafe for great food, friendly and speedy service and great value.
(2)
Kaylee D.
First off I'd like to say that I generally don't write reviews but what happened today was so outrageous I had to do this. My friends and I, totaling a party of 6, went for breakfast Sunday am. We knew we'd have a wait and were perfectly fine with that. Once we were seated our drink and food orders were taken. The waitress we had was very pleasant and the food arrived quickly. So everything up to this point was great and then the good time we'd all expected was OVER. About 10 minutes into our meal the bus staff began their assault. Their constant intrusion made it impossible to enjoy anything. The assembly line of "bussers" was beyond anything I'd experienced in my entire dining history. I mean we're talking they were rotating every 15 seconds to desperately clear ANYTHING they could get their hands on. Example, my half full glass of mimosa was pawed at by the staff who didn't even ask if I was done with my beverage which I wasn't but since she'd left her fingerprints on my drink I felt it was time to let it go. If given the opportunity I'd have finished my drink. I understand the importance of "getting them in and getting them out" on a busy Sunday am but this was truly unacceptable. We all ordered a morning "cocktail" so right off the bat they know that we're spending money more than the average breakfast goer and right from the get go our beverage bill was equal if not more than our food order. People were still cutting and eating at our table and we completely felt harassed and that we had already overstayed our welcome. Within the last 5 minutes of our meal we were asked 3 times if we needed change, twice if we enjoyed everything, and a last time by the host ?manager if we received our bill to which I replied, having been thoroughly annoyed at the hovering and helicoptering that we just endured, "Don't worry, we're leaving." This dining experience took all of 40 minutes. More than three quarters was sucked up by the complete distraction provided by the staff. One of our party was complaining of indigestion from having had to eat so quickly. Our "girls Sunday brunch" was a sad occasion to say the least. Love to comment on the quality of the food but nobody can remember since it was all so quick. We all feel fairly confident in saying we shan't be returning to this establishment eva again.
(1)
Robyn G.
Open on the fourth of July! Awesome. The host not allowing me to sit until my friend got there not so cool. The lady continually hovering and bumping into me, annoying. The noise level, which included the screaming 3 year old beside our table, awful. But as always, the coffee was great (free refills too), the fruits and vegetables are fresher than most breakfast places and they offer veggie sausage. The service was slow, but hey, it's a holiday. Also, their home fries aren't really fries, they're mashed potatoes with just a little bit of crust. I like sound bites, but won't go on a holiday again.
(3)
Christopher S.
Unbelievably overrated. Unremarkable food, rushed waitstaff, terrible coffee. Really, people - stop trying to convince yourselves that this place is actually special. Do yourself a favor and instead go to Rosebuds in Davis Sq - the food's better and the experience is LIGHT YEARS ahead of this place.
(2)
Kathleen F.
I hadn't been here in a while, but since the line was pretty lengthy at my old faithful breakfast joint, Ball Square, we decided to hit up it's next door neighbor to change things up a bit. The line may have moved quickly, but the experience was the worst that I've had yet. Maybe it's all this new publicity that they are bragging about, but they seem to not be able to keep up w' the volume. I ordered a cafe mocha with soy milk and since our waitress was switched up I did not get what I ordered. Then I decided to switch it up and try something new so I ordered the avocado and egg bene. My boyfriend ordered the stuffed french toast w' pear and goat cheese. After waiting a bit, his order came out....then...10 minutes passed...finally my order came out (with no apology for the wait). I would like to describe it as poached eggs, un-ripe avocado and tomato floating in a moat of too greasy hollandaise sauce. I mean hollandaise is great, but not when your dish is soaking in so much that you can't taste anything else. Not to mention the fact that the sauce was luke-warm, the egg was hot, avocado was cold, I don't even know what the tomato was but it made for a weird gross consistency, definitely one of the worst breakfast dishes i've ever had. Since my was basically in-edible I tried out my boyfriend's french toast. I liked it a lot more, probably since I don't usually order pancakes or french toast since I always consider it to be such a treat. He usually orders dishes like that and said it was so so but not the best he's had. Overall, I came out thoroughly un-impressed--I think I'll stick w' Ball Square, even if the line is longer, it is by far a much better more friendly, attentive and consistent experience!
(3)
Mark S.
I agree w/ others: Overrated, Very rude staff. RIDONCULOUS LINES AND WAIT TIMES!
(1)
Shani C.
I pretty much get the responses that say "We went here for brunch and had a bad experience." Because I do not consider this to be brunch. Brunch indicates that you go, want to socialize, sit over your coffee, stay for a while. Soundbites doesn't want you to stay for a while, socialize, or linger over your breakfast. The key word here is BREAKFAST. You know it's a breakfast because they are serving it every morning, not just one or two days a weekend. Yah, you're going to have to get your own coffee. So what, you can make it the way you want. You might have to wait in a line, so did everyone else. Come here with one or two people, max of four, come before 9 am, and be short and sweet when you order, and you will figure it out. Do it a few weeks in a row and suddenly you're a regular, and Yassir treats regulars like gold. I love eating at this place, and it almost never takes me more than 40 minutes to do so. My Sunday mornings are jigsaw puzzles of activity, I don't need to sit there for 2 hours letting my eggs get cold. If you want a brunch, you really should go somewhere else, and other wonderful options do include Gargoyles, Johnny D's, Highland Kitchen, and probably others I'm forgetting. If you want a BREAKFAST, and you know the difference, come to Sound Bites, and come back forever.
(5)
Erick H.
I've been here once for dinner and three times for breakfast and of the two meals, I've much preferred breakfast. While their dinner menu isn't objectionable, it is a strange mix of Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Italian dishes. Certainly, if you were looking for a place for a group with disparate tastes, Sound Bites would suffice. As for breakfast, the menu is a diverse collection of traditional breakfast options, from Eggs Benedict to pancakes to omelets, and so on. I've yet to have a disappointing meal and I've never ordered the same thing. One of the stranger aspects of Sound Bites is its self-service beverage arrangement. At first, this struck me as both bizarre and annoying, but in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. The restaurant is always busy during breakfast and brunch, and rather than waiting for your server to return, you can simply retrieve your own refreshment. As for ambiance, there's not much to report. The dining room is well lit, and no louder than I'd expect from such a popular place. On the upside, if you visit during warmer months, there are four tables available on the sidewalk. My only complaint is more of an endorsement than anything else: the place is always busy for breakfast and brunch, so be prepared to wait to be seated. That said, it's definitely worth the wait, which is obvious from the omnipresent line.
(4)
Larissa C.
Fast service. Solid dinning. Reasonable prices. Spicy bloody mary's. Serve your own coffee? Not the best brunch I've ever had, but definitely not the worst.
(3)
Bill H.
I have been eating at Sound Bites since at least 1996, when I lived around the corner on Highland. In all that time, while the quality of the food has never diminished, the number of delicious offerings has increased. I've lost track of the number of delicious meals I have had at Sound Bites, and I highly recommend it for breakfast all day.
(5)
Christine Y.
Breakfast all day long, Soundbites offers a great breakfast. Try the wholewheat pancakes. They often have long lines on the weekend so beware. But it's worth dropping by because they have great consistent food.
(4)
Raymond W.
I liked came here with some out of town friends and got some pancakes, which were delicious, fluffy and generous with the toppings/fillings. The wait was roughly 15-20 minutes, but since it was nice out, it wasn't a concern. I wouldn't bother when it's cold though since there aren't any heating source for peopel waiting outside unlike ball square cafe. The space is larger and more unique so you'll likely be seated faster. After reading about the history between ball square cafe and sound bites, I sympathize with Sound Bites, after visiting each one, the food is just too similar to make a call.
(4)
Jamie S.
The food is pretty close to 5 stars-worthy, but the service this past Saturday night was piss poor. We walked in after an exhausting indecisive drive trying to figure out where to go. Northern Iowa was only a few minutes from upsetting Kansas in the NCAA hoops tourney and they served beer and had plenty of room at the bar. Our prospects were looking up. We sit down, get a coupla pints poured for us, and put in our order a few minutes later. Keep in mind we are one of 4 parties dining at this point. Falafel as an app, chili burrito for me, burger for the better half. Nice. At this point, the frustration of finding no parking at other restaurants in Boston, was f-f-f-f-f-faaading away. Well about 15 minutes elapse. 2 ladies have just sidled up to the bar across from us and are promptly served their buffalo finger app within a few minutes. Still no falafel. "hey Gargamel, how's that falafel comin along?" "oh yeah that'll be right out." "will it now....hmm..." Finally the falafel is out. We devour, as we're kinda hungry by this time. 10 minutes later my omelette in all its glory arrives. The homefries are like a brick of potato with fulffiness inside and a great crust on the outside. Believe the hype. Unique take on homefries. Get some hot sauce and sour cream to throw on that shit. Now, eggs are probably one of the worst things to eat cold, so I start in. My burger-expecting fiancee is hungry, so she snags a few bites of mine. "hey porcupine, how's the burger comin along?" "oh yeah that'll be out any minute." "oh rearry. je ne believe you pas." another 10 or 15 minutes elapse. "you still slaughtering the cow or what?" "yeah sorry about that guys, drinks are on me for the trouble." SO FINALLY THE GODDAMN BURGER COMES OUT. and it's delicious. and huge. but cripes, what the hell happened back there? Laverne and Shirley at the bar were 3 post-dinner drinks deep by the time the damn burger came out, and they got there a half hour after us. So that's about it. He comp'd our 3 beers and appetizer without being asked, which saves this from being a 2 star review. If you feel like breakfast at night, give this a try, especially since it's so crowded in the morning, but if you want to be served before your social security benefits kick in, come in the morning when the morning crew who know what they're doing is on the clock.
(3)
Michelle K.
So, Yasser (Sound Bites's owner) sent me a Yelp "compliment" in response to a review I wrote about Ball Square Cafe in which I called the owner "friendly." His message: "The owner,,,got 2 faces, looooosser" Not sure if he was calling ME a loser or the owner of BSC. Ya know what? I think it's a little immature either way. Sound Bites just got downgraded a star. WHO'S THE LOOOOOSSER NOW, BEEEEEEOTCH?!?!11111
(3)
Tara B.
Maybe I'm still bitter that this now occupies my former beloved El Guapo, home of my favorite karaoke nights in greater Boston. But.. I'd rather go to Kelly's or Ball Square Cafe. The food is solid, no doubt. Though I've had the Boston's Best Blue (cheese omelet, griddled blueberry muffin, griddled mashed taters, bacon) at both Sound Bites and Ball Square, and I'm positive it's better at Ball Square. You won't find me turn down a griddled blueberry muffin, but it's just tastier, fresher, butterier at B.Sq. I really am bummed about El Guapo. Also, I'm down with the self-serve coffee concept; not down with self-serve every.single.beverage racket they run here. El Guaaaaapooooooooooo!
(3)
Maria D.
I love soundbites just as much as I love ball square cafe. (although I usually tend to head next door instead). Soundbites differentiates from Ball sq in that it has a greater selection of menu options, as well as coffee flavors. Also, soundbites has an outdoor seating area, ball sq cafe does not. I've taken many out of town friends here and they can't seem to get enough. I've had many weekends chauffeuring friends at Northeastern to grab some breakfast at Sound Bites. Come here if you're looking for some good breakfast eats for sure.. in terms of my personal tastes... I just can't stop myself from heading to ball sq cafe for their strawberry shortcake waffle.. nom nom nom
(4)
Rachel S.
I was in Boston for my Bachelorette party, and had to make sure we went to Sound Bites to kick things off. Everyone there was wonderful to our large party, and the food, of course, was incredible! Thank you, Yasser - for another spectacular meal. There really is no place like homefries! Since moving away from Boston 2 years ago, this is by far the place I miss eating at the most. The creative omelets are always filled with fresh ingredients, the corn muffin is thrown on the griddle with some butter, and the fresh fruit salad includes mango and papaya. Maybe for my wedding Yasser will give me the secret to those amazing potatoes?
(5)
Tim K.
Food=Great.... No, it's FANTASTIC! The toughest part is the wait for a table because it is such a popular place.
(4)
Adrienne T.
Sound Bites service "bites". This servers and management here take rude to another level. There are no smiles, you are RUSHED (if you linger after your last bite, they WILL come over to you and let you know that there is a line outside), and I'm thinking they value their reputation for rudeness. The food is NOT all that, just very, very basic. If you don't mind a wait, go to the Neighborhood in Union Square, Renee's in Somerville, or Centre Street Cafe in JP for some really GOOD breakfast and pleasant service.
(1)
Ryan R.
Soggy eggs (Undercooked?), salty, expensive drinks, crowded and rushed staff. Why not go next-door to Ball Square Cafe? Less space there, but all you can drink coffee and way better food.
(1)
Mike S.
Sound Bites is the place to go for excellent breakfast and brunch in Somerville. This place is always packed and there is a wait usually on Sunday mornings. It says a lot for the food. Service is busy and running around so not the best. But they make up for it with delicious stuffed french toast, omlets cooked to perfection, and crispy bacon or delicious sausages. Oh and don't forget the hash browns! mmmmm Check it out this weekend!
(4)
Yoonie C.
Ugh. This place is so overrated! The water for poaching eggs is dirty. Service is crappy, it's always crowded, and everything just feels dirty - in a very bad, bad way.
(1)
Elizabeth G.
Went on a Saturday morning with a friend. We were seated immediately, grabbed our own coffee etc bc it's serve yourself drink bar (which I liked- free refills and so many flavors to chose from!) Our waiter was awesome- so friendly and efficient. I ordered the sweet pepper corned beef hash, he got the swine & Swiss and we split a half order of the stuffed fresh toast bc we couldn't resist. We both loved everything, just the right amount of grease, gourmet and deliciousness. Reasonably priced and a fun atmosphere. Just what I'm looking for on a Saturday morning! Definitely going to try their lunch or dinner bc I love mediterranean.
(4)
Kelly N Z R.
Great brunch option for vegetarians. Almost too many choices! Was totally worth the wait outside. Make sure you grab a mug from the generous coffee/tea stand inside to keep you warm/caffeinated. I loved the 2-cubed Royale (2 eggs, pancakes or french toast, meat or 'meat', toast or bagel). I always like both savory and sweet for brunch, and it was just enough food to leave me feeling sated for the day without leaving too much behind on the plate. I hate wasting food.
(4)
Ben A.
I've been back here several times since my first review and every time I go back I find myself more disappointed than the last. The sad part is I really want to like this place but I keep finding reasons not to. The guy who runs the place (i think he does anyways) who is always seating people on the weekends was quite rude to my friends and I on my last visit. He noticed that I had gone next door to look at the menu of the Balltown cafe (I have a friend that works there who's told me good things) and told my other friend that I was insulting him by checking to see if there was a shorter line. My other friends went to get coffee across the street thinking we would have a long wait. I understand that it's frowned upon to bring your own coffee to a restaurant that serves it but there's no need to give them a dirty look! Lastly, the food is just not that great. One of my favorite things to do is go out for pancakes in the morning. Unfortunately the pancakes they serve here aren't that great! The combination all sound great (bannana-berry, banana-mozzarella, blueberry-chocolate, etc.) but instead of actually cooking it into the pancakes, they essentially make a hole in the middle of the pancakes and shove the toppings in. The pancakes themselves are unflavorful and bland, and the syrup is tasteless! Perhaps the trick to enjoying the pancakes here is to order the side of maple syrup (an extra $2.00!), but it shouldn't be that hard to get decent syrup for your customers, just ask Aunt Jemima! Lastly the home fries are not home fries! If I see home fries on the menu then I expect multiple fried potato objects, as the word fries is plural, it would imply that the home fries will be multiple different fries... Nope, you get a large lump of something resembling a half-cooked hash brown. Essentially mashed potatoes cooked briefly in a frying pan. I'm pretty sure it wasn't even real potatoes! YUCK!
(2)
Barney S.
The food is awesome!! Service is fast and it's a pleasant place.Breakfast all day from 630 am to 930 pm. Also serve dinner. Love jimmys Moroccan eggs..to die for..also broadway bowl..owner is friendly and attentive always..try it! You'll love it. Five stars..no hesitation.
(5)
Adam E.
First and foremost, I love the owner here. He's right. You shouldn't talk on your cell phone at the breakfast table and you shouldn't take a million years to eat when there's a line. It's common courtesy! If you're a douche, the owner will call you on it. If you have a modicum of manners and common sense, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast and maybe even make a new friend while you drink your coffee in line. The coffee is good, the homefries are absolutely to die for. The portions are large and prices are reasonable. Try the cherry muffin, it's awesome. I don't leave JP much, but Soundbites lures me all the way across the river both due to its food and for the delight of seeing Yassir (the owner), who gives me a kiss on the cheek every time I go in because he really does value his loyal customers. And it's not like a creepy kiss on the cheek either, I'm all butch and stuff.
(5)
Scott H.
I just finished my final experience at Sound Bites. The food is delicious, however the customer service leaves something to be desired. When our check came, we began adding up our individual meals, drinks, and sides in order to split the check. We discovered that we had been charged for 3 extra drinks and they had decided to tip themselves a whopping 40%. When we disputed it, we were told we wrong. As the cherry on top, when we went to pay, ridiculous gratuity and all, we were told that we had to pay on one card only because it was "only fair." From now on I will be going next door to Ball Square Cafe.
(2)
John B.
Short and simple this place is breakfast heaven. Well worth driving in horrible conditions from Brighton. I can't wait to go here again, and again, and again. Suggestions: - Year round pumpkin spice coffee - Peanut butter and banana stuffed French Toast - Corn beef hash - Home fries
(5)
Traci K.
Sound Bites only real downfall is the wait on the weekends - but even that is not so bad. While the line seems daunting on Saturday morning at 10, keep your head down and power through and you'll be greatly rewarded. I definitely tend toward the savory breakfast items - mostly because of my soft spot for hash browns. The hash browns at Sound Bites are supremely tasty. While not your run-of-the-mill potato cubes or shredded and crispy taters, the pan-fried brick of mashed potato is always worth it. Omlettes. Let's talk about it. Whoever at Sound Bites decided that it was a good idea to wrap goat cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes in fluffy and delicious eggs needs a hug and a high five (dare I say, chest bump?). All of the omlettes are amazing. I believe there is also one filled with avocado and tomato -- genius. Sound Bites embraces the avocado as a breakfast item and I have to say: I couldn't agree more. If you can make it on a week day get the breakfast burrito. Egg, cheese, salsa, avocado, potatoes, rainbows, magic. Delicious. The eggs bene with avocado and tomato is painfully good. Magic. Pure magic.
(4)
Dennis W.
Have to say that I enjoyed Sound Bites. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my food both on Sunday (8/14) and later in the week when I had family in town. Their service is prompt, hash browns are delicious and the coffee station is a great concept. Everything was fresh and the door/vibe is energetic. It's a great find in Somerville, MA. I love good food and a bit of atmosphere goes a long way to making it an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Rachael W.
I've been to Sound Bites a total of two times. The first time I was amazed (seriously, the fresh fruit you can opt to have piled on your pancakes/waffles/french toast is AWESOME). After going back for the second time just this morning, I'm over it. I suppose if I lived nearby I'd continue to frequent this place, but since I live in Back Bay there are lots of other great breakfast options that don't require a long trek--or standing in line to be seated. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but other than the yummy fruit, it's really nothing to write home about. My waffle today was a bit hard and chewy. Again, the fresh fruit piled on top was the highlight. Service is friendly, but it's evident that they're trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. Brunch is a bit of an occasion for me, and feeling like I'm being rushed out the door isn't conducive to the optimum breakfast experience. Just let me sip my coffee, okay? I think Sound Bites is a place you should at least try once, for the expansive menu and fruit toppings (yes, I'm bringing it up again) if nothing else. Whether or not you continue to frequent the place, in my opinion, should be decided by whether or not you have other breakfast/brunch restaurants near your residence.
(3)
Ash T.
Pros: the stuffed french toast filed with cream cheese and figs is probably the best item Cons: the coffee is self serve and with free refills, however the quality is average. We went to a place across the street for better coffee. The moroccan eggs flavor was decent but they overloaded the plate with tomatoes and red onions as if there's an oversupply from farms in Kansas.
(4)
Jessie L.
Consistently disappointed. I'm sorry, I really tried to like it, considering there are lines down the street every weekend.... but I just don't get it. Best pancakes in Boston? Are you freaking kidding me? Their "pumpkin pancakes" are dry, flavorless excuses for pancakes with pumpkin pie filling added. I could make better homemade pancakes without even following a recipe. On the trip I got the pancakes, I was looking forward to how they had other options for meat. I think I got turkey sausage - and like everything else, it was dry and pretty much useless. My date's potatos sucked, and his eggs were, meh. Then I went yesterday and just had a side of challah french toast. I'm sorry, but don't people order challah because it's nice and soft and smushy and wonderful? I was hoping for that, but somehow, they again managed to serve either dry or stale french toast that actually took me some wrist work to cut with a fork. $3 for that garbage. I'm sure a lot of the meals are good - but honestly, I don't care. I can't eat eggs, and I have no desire to give them any more of my money. I also agree with other reviewers that they're constantly all over your table and you sometimes feel rushed. I'm kinda also not a fan of the coffee bar..... you're trying to meander around a busy restaurant with drinks, and for a cup of lousy $2.25 coffee and overpriced crappy food, bring me my damn coffee. I will say one thing: The fruit bowls are fantastic. Considering fruit is expensive and that you get a huge variety, $6 isn't completely horrible for it. I was okay with going to this place as a default since it's right up the street from me, but I'm never going again. Bye bye, Sound Bites.
(2)
Martha S.
I've been looking for great breakfast place near my apartment. Hubby and I drove by this place one morning on our way out of town and saw they had a line out the door to get in!!! After bookmarking and reading the reviews it seemed like a sure bet that I was going to get some amazing breakfast here. Ill come out and admit that I have only been here once. So when reading the review, just keep in mind that I am not opposed to giving it a second shot. I like that the beverages are self service. You can switch back and forth between coffee flavors and syrups and stuff, which is a novel concept and keeps you busy while you wait for your food. I had their daily special of "stuffed french toast with banana walnut sauce" or something like that. Husband got some sort of veggie omelet with avocado. The french tots would have been delicious, except the "stuffed" part was a thick layer of cream cheese!!!!! YUCK! I mean, it didn't have like a sweet flavor or anything, and it was actually not an appealing texture in the mix! The french toast would have been AWESOME without the "stuffed" part, but, it just sounded so good that I had to try it. The omelet was good, but not special compared to home made. Ill come back, and Ill update my review after a second try.
(3)
Divya B.
Many of my friends have always had good things to say about Sound Bites. But my visit to Sound Bites was easily a forgettable one. I don't know if it was because my friend and I went a little after the usual brunch hours. If anything, I was glad that I did not have to wait in the long line outside. I ordered a Banana\Mango Pancake. The pancake was very dry, and did not taste really fresh. If not for the chunks of fruits in it, I had no special liking for the pancake. The service wasn't great either. The food came quickly, but was served as though we were being done a big favor.
(2)
Sara S.
I've been here twice, and both times I've had the large fruit bowl--a MASSIVE bowl of fresh grapes, pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, apple and berries that is, surprisingly, just as good in February as it is in June. The first time I came, I had the avocado eggs benedict, which was delicious and way too big. Seriously, the portion sizes at this place are unreal. The hash browns were good but a little weird--basically, a pile of fried mashed potatoes. The second time, I ordered the multigrain waffle, again with a fruit bowl that I shared with my friend. It was the perfect combination of crispy outside, soft and warm inside, and paired with the fruit it was really outstanding. I ended up eating the whole thing, which I had not planned to do. Also, I like that they have a bunch of coffee servers out, and you pick out and mix your own coffee, and when you want a refill you just get up and get it. All in all, this is one of my favorite breakfast places--worth the wait, especially if the weather is nice.
(5)
Bridget B.
I'd give them 5 stars, however if I wanted to pay to be yelled at I'd go see a dominatrix or something. I really don't get the whole concept of enjoying breakfast while practically being berated by the staff for not eating fast enough. I mean, as mentioned above, the first thing that came to mind the first time I went there was the whole Soup Nazi thing as I saw a waitress snap at a man reading a newspaper that, "This is a restaurant, not a library!"; meanwhile it was mid-week and the place was nowhere near as crowded as it is on weekends. Another time I was yelled at for not finishing my breakfast (some good but uninspired coconut-chocolate chip pancakes) The food is great, though there are breakfast places that I enjoy a whole lot more without having to put up with the emotional abuse.
(3)
Tamar A.
Sigh. Amendments make my toes curl. But yes, it's true. Go on a weekday and have one of the most varied and yummy and dirt-cheap and quickly-sat-and-served breakfasts in Boston. And listen to the bland banter of the housewives at the next table. Or, you could get a job, you stinkin' hippie.
(4)
Chris W.
I HOPE THE OWNER SEES THIS AND ANYONE WHO READS THIS UNDERSTANDS THIS PLACE IS OWNED BY A THIEF!!! I have been a loyal customer to Sound Bites for 2 years and come a few times a month. The last time I was at Sound Bites we had an issue with the bill. It was miscalculated by about $4, no big deal things happen.But they also made a mistake on our friends bill and mentioned something to the owner about it and he got very defensive. The owner even had the guts to say to me "What is wrong with your friend? Why he give me attitude?? I am very nice to him" Well their bill was off $7. They fixed it and I payed and went on our way. Today I went with a group of friends and it was a big mistake. We got seated and then went up to get drinks. Every time I go there I get a plastic cup of water with a top. Never has it been an issue. Today was a different story. The middle eastern man who is always there, who I think is the owner confronted one of my friends and told her they charge 30 cents for a cup. 30 cents for a freaking plastic cup!! Are you kidding me? When I am paying $10 for a meal why should I pay extra for a plastic cup?? He then proceeded to tell her he wouldn't charge her for the cup because "She is beautiful". That makes sense. So she comes back to the table and tells us this and we just shrugged it off. So we eat our meal, good as usual and then our bill comes. Just because of my last experience I decided I was going to count the bill. And what happens?? They overcharged us again!!!! This time by only $4. Unreal! Does this happen all the time?? You should never have to bring a calculator to a restaurant! But at Sound Bites you do! This is stealing!!!!! No matter what, it doesn't matter if its 1 dollar or 10 dollars its stealing from loyal customers! So I approached the man who gave me my check and told him there was a mistake and it was on from there. The owner came over and immediately became belligerent. He began yelling at our entire table in front of everyone there, so embarrassing. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and turned their heads to listen in on this guy! They made a mistake and did not even apologize. He became very aggressive and defensive saying he did not steal from us and that the charges were for the plastic cups and he would remove them.The cups only cost .30 cents and there was only 2 of us on our bill. Last time I did math 30 cents plus 30 cents does not equal $4. At this point he did not even acknowledge that they made a mistake, it was all our fault some how?? He then told us to never come back, and "Go on yelp and give me one star I dont care" My girlfriend then asked for a to-go box and he said "No I will not serve you" Seriously??? Not give a paying customer a to-go box because you made a mistake on the bill??? Great business right there!! I had to ask our waitress for a to-go box and she got it. So we took care of paying and were leaving and the owner opened the door and started saying "Thanks for coming" Talk about an alter-ego!!! No one said anything then I was the last one and shook my head and said "You just lost some loyal customers" And this guy had the balls to say GOOD DON'T COME BACK!!!! That just put the icing on the cake. I will never ever come back to this place and neither will my friends. I will never recommend this place to anyone and I will write to the BBB to make sure that they know there is a business in Somerville that is owned my a Narcissist WHO STEALS MONEY!!! This is not a good business practice. You never ever yell at a customer in front of anyone especially when you are the one who made the mistake. ONE MORE RECOMMENDATION! GO TO BALL SQUARE TAVERN, CLEARLY THERE IS A REASON WHY THERE LINE IS ALWAYS SO LONG AND THEY HAVE THE SAME MENU BUT HAS INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DOESN'T STEAL!! OR GO TO SOUND BITES, BRING A CALCULATOR AND BE PREPARED TO HAVE AN OWNER SCREAM AT YOU IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE.
(1)
Lauren B.
I was visiting friends and they brought me to Sound Bites for breakfast. My eggs were great (maybe a little too much cheese - but is that really a bad thing?). Also, their potatoes are FANTASTIC. It's a different consistency than I've had before, and I could have eaten just that and been satisfied.
(3)
Michelle L.
This i place is so great that my best friend actually blew off her 11AM plans to eat here. (Ok, so she pushed plans back to 3 but I'm telling a story here.) I love that they let you choose and pour your own coffee at Sound Bites. It's like being at home while you wait for Mom to finish cooking breakfast. Their fresh squeezed orange juice is crack. Two things I make sure to order: Grilled blueberry muffin. Homefries (or more like grilled mashed potatoes). Bring quarters to park.
(4)
Melissa C.
Loooooooooooooove this place. Creative delicious food an good service. My favorite is the almond French toast with a mimosa yum!!
(5)
Christina D.
challah French toast was great, but the hollandaise on the Benedict was awful. weird tangy flavor and not smooth consistency. also the self-serve beverage situation is a little odd and distracts from the meal.
(3)
Will R.
This is the best breakfast place in Somerville. After the expansion, lots of room and shorter lines. The Ball Square cafe has a very similar menu - but less expansive than Sound Bites.
(5)
T Z.
Many people I know really like this place but there didn't seem to be anything, well...good. Basically service was bad, we asked to wait for a seat outside (there was no wait but tables were full) and they would not let us. On the way out the busser pushed me out of the way while i was walking out and he got really annoyed. ha The first dish came in about 5-10 mins but the second came about 10mins later. awful. We ordered the goat cheese and pear french toast and the sweet pepper corned beef hash. Sounds great but they just did an awful job with it. F.toast was soggy and the flavors weren't right the hash was way too salty, I appreciate salty hash but this was overboard, i mean even the coffee was bad. We couldn't even finish the meal, it just wasn't worth eating. I'm a fan of greasy diner breakfast, creative gourmet brunches and most everything in between as long as it tastes good which this definitely didn't. Plainly: Just go to Neighborhood Restaurant!
(1)
Lucinda P.
Where do I start? I've had so many great experiences at this restaurant, that it's almost embarrassing that I haven't reviewed it yet. It's time to change that trend, and let people know -if they sadly don't already- what a fabulous treasure this place is. First, think about what you want from breakfast.. Eggs, veggies maybe, superbly prepared mashed-then-fried potatoes, coffee or tea of course, juice, maybe crisp bacon, pancakes or fruit-stuffed french toast. You name it, they do it superbly here. And think about when you want it. What's that? In the middle of the afternoon or evening? No problem! Awesome breakfast, served quickly, ANYTIME. Oh, and they do dinner, too, in case your friends aren't down with the late breakfast thing. This place is an institution, and it is for a reason. You can count on it for prompt, efficient service and high quality, reasonably priced food. I will keep coming back, as would any sane person who likes to eat.
(5)
Jamie L.
1.) I have never been to a restaurant where the wait included bar seating. After waiting awhile at the front desk with no help (and I didn't see a "Please wait to be seated" sign), we noticed there were tons of bar seats open - all but two. So we decided to just eat at the bar, whoops! I'm an a-hole! 2.) Get your own darn drinks! I go out to be served and chat with my company, not take turns weaving through crowds and figuring out how to get the drink I want. Nothing in the case was priced. I don't mind shelling out some dough to enjoy myself, I just might have been more inclined had I seen the numbers. The cups and water were behind the register and servers cashing out, the ice was around them on the other side on a stool in a wide open cooler. Oh the circles I ran in trying to serve myself coffee and water. Was I supposed to get my own mimosa? I wanted one after I was done eating, but all I got was my bill... 3.) There was not a single red pepper in my sweet red pepper hash. It was out of a can, it may have been two cans worth. They put the eggs right on top of it, no biggie, just thought you should know. 4.) The berry pancakes were more like a pile of berries circled by some tough pancake-like stale bread. Where there were berries there was no pancake, and vice versa. 5.) My friend's pear and goat cheese French toast was soggy on the outside, gritty on the inside. The texture was like I was eating something regurgitated, the after taste left me with the same impression. We sent it back. Read my other reviews, I'm really not that picky! 6.) We had trouble deciphering if they even had homefries. In scanning a menu for them (as they came with nothing), I was not looking for "Noplacelikehomefries." Cute twist, but difficult find, for the dyslexic most especially. Griddled mashed potatoes are not homefries, but they are delicious!! 7.) Nothing came buttered. This is fine, put it on the side, whatever... but please, why do I have to work for it? I hate fighting those darn butter packets! 8.) There is no door on the kitchen. This made for a very hot room even with the air-conditioning. When the air-conditioning blew, it was too hot I couldn't eat anymore. Yes, this was probably a rare event, but it was a digustingly humid day. No one propped the door to let the sweltering kitchen heat out so it was quite suddenly much cooler outside!?! In conclusion, I believe this is the kind of place you could frequent, get used to some of these quirks, and order accordingly. Had I been better informed I might have adjusted and settled in with more ease. Thank goodness I was not hungover, enjoying this place was a lot of work already!
(2)
Roxane J.
Do not go to this place. A group of friends and I wanted to hit The Pub for their awesome chicken wings but it was Brewers playoff night so we went down the street to Sound Bites and everything was bad-the food was old and should have been thrown out but it was served to us instead. We ordered the Middle Eastern plates but it was obvious that they were storing old food that should have been thrown out. Really, everything about this place was wrong, dirty, and spoiled. It started with the beer-the taps were dirty. We did complain about the beer and the bartender poured another and told us the taps had just been clean and we must have gotten the old tap beer. After we received the food, my friend wouldn't let us complain also about the food. (A former waitress-she has rules about being a customer.) I just won't eat there again.
(1)
Lauren S.
It's that breakfast place after you've walked by Kelly's but haven't yet gotten in line at the Ball Sqaure Cafe. Good stuff: Delicious food. Great menu. Good coffee. Really, it's a great breakfast place. BUT ... If you want food just as good, and not feel like you're being rushed out the door, go next door to the Ball Square Cafe. Bad stuff: It's just a little too hectic once you get inside. People rushing around all over the place, while you try to run the wait-staff obstacle course to get your coffee. And once you take that last bite of delicious food, your plate will be gone and a check left in its place. If you don't pay your check and leave immediately, you WILL be hounded. Did I mention you can head next door do Ball Square and not get rushed out the door while enjoying a similar menu and delicious food?
(3)
Maria V.
So.... I like this restaurant's name. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. I also liked that the drinks were self-serve (negative: kind of expensive @ $2.75 for a cup of coffee - unless you get refills, which are free). And I liked that the home fries were actually fried mashed potatoes (in theory anyway - in practice they were blah, and I ended up eating only the crispy layer). But most of all I liked the menu options. LOTS of stuff sounded REALLY, really good. If you're one of those quasi-vegetarians who consume "but only" fish/eggs/chicken (in my mind you're an omnivore... sorry), there are tasty-sounding options like tomato-avocado eggs benedict. If you're into sweets, they have pancakes & french toast piled in fruits, grilled muffins, etc. (disclaimer: I'm a non-vegetarian, savory-loving kind of gal, so I'm going on assumptions here). My excitement for the menu ended in disappointed when the food came out. It was nowhere near as good as it sounded. The eggs benedict was gross. One of the poached eggs was fine, the other cooked stiff. The sauce is odd-tasting, at best. I normally LOVE hollandaise sauce so I was pretty disappointed. I've literally never had it this bad: oily, chunky, and kind of tart. Like... curdled taste and texture. And this is hard to describe, but it actually tasted kind of dusty? I don't know. The bacon was the flimsy skinny type that they sell pre-cooked/microwave-ready at the supermarket. Tasted fine though. And corned beef hash is actually quite good. This place isn't super expensive, but by all means not cheap either. You can get much fresher, tastier breakfast food at any of the nearby diners for maybe half the price. Breakfast for two (two dishes and two coffees) cost me $35 (tip excluded). Not sure if I'll go back. If for some reason I do return, I'll stick to the basics (something like eggs benedict seems beyond their culinary skill level).
(2)
Dan B.
$15 per person. Good, but not extraordinary. Best thing ordered was the eggs benedict. Challah french toast was good. Jalapeno omelet was alright.
(3)
Holly H.
Sound Bites, i moved from Cambridge almost 4 years ago and i still have sticky sweet dreams about your french toast and I never did mind too much the years of holding out while you tried to rush us to flip the table, every time i'd show up with a group. i hear you're all grown up now and bigger and probably play nicer now.
(5)
Nick M.
I've been dying to check this place out for a few years. We finally went there this past Sunday for brunch. Knowing that it's pretty popular, we called ahead to see what the wait was -- surprisingly at 1PM on Sunday, there was no wait After arriving at the front door, a few parties had come in ahead of us, so there was a small wait for a 4 person table. Not a problem, as the coffee bar is self service, so we were able to have a few cups of coffee while we waited. To touch on this "coffee bar", this is quite genius. There are hanging mugs above the counter and at least 7 different kinds of coffee (regular, decaf, Italian Roast, flavored, etc). There's also tea, many types of sweetener, iced coffee (need to ask for a cup with ice) as well as many types of syrup and flavor shots. I stuck with my favorite - Italian Roast After we were seated, we ordered our food and then I realized there was also self service water -- a total score in a place like this, where you would probably have to wait about 10 minutes to get this. I was able to get up, get two waters and get back to the table in under a minute - not too bad The food was pretty decent. I went for an omelet, which was cooked perfectly. Someone else got the hash (tasted amazing), the french toast (also amazing) and I can't remember the 4th dish I did not realize there was a bar there, so I can't attest for the service at the bar, though I did notice BBC Steel Rail on draft, which is a plus Definitely worth checking out for the breakfast alone; the lunch/dinner menu looks good too. I'd recommend either going really early or late on Sunday
(4)
Emily O.
Here is my best tip for Soundbites: Go down the street to Kelly's and save yourself the frustration of waiting in line for so-so French Toast and crappy pancakes. I used to write restaurant reviews for my college magazine, and was so pissed when my editor made me revisit this shithole. Omelets are flavorless and seriously milk-diluted. Pancakes taste WATERED DOWN and the chocolate chips they use are gross. Fruit is not fresh, period. This place has nothing on Kelly's, and it ain't so cheap, either. Dear Soundbites: That grilled mashed potato cake thing is not "home fries." Get it straight!
(2)
Patricia F.
I love this place. The food and the service are out of this world. I have never had a meal here I didn't love. My favorite is there breakfast menu. Prices are great and so is the decor.
(5)
steve g.
The best breakfast in Ball Square. Accept no substitutions! Though if they are crowded, be sure to decide what you want to eat quickly and not sit at the table for a long time after you are done.
(5)
Mando L.
outstanding brunch! the line moves fast, so do not be intimidated. the food is always incredibly fresh and incredibly well made every time. their cereal crusted French toast is BOMB!
(5)
Juju W.
Price is very reasonable. Food is delicious. I like their stuffed French toast. Egg Benedict is better than average. No wait on Easter Sunday!
(4)
Elizabeth F.
Years ago, when Sound Bites still occupied the space now inhabited by Ball Square Cafe, I referred to the restaurant's owner as the Home Fries Nazi--a riff from the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. The reason was that I ordered the Art, Tom, and Jack Omelet and asked if I could get fruit instead of the home fries. He said, "No." and walked away. The intervening years have mellowed him into a kinder, gentler, brunch-focused restaurant owner. Today, when I ordered the asparagus and tomato eggs florentine with the hollandaise on the side and fruit instead of the home fries, he said, "Okay." Later on, when my dining companion ordered a side of home fries as his meal didn't come with them, the owner gave them to us on the house. My companion ordered the corned beef hash, and the look of pleasure on his face as he ate the first bite can't be described in a PG-rated environment. Also: free coffee refills. Key on a Sunday morning.
(4)
Wendy K.
I have been to Sound Bites several times, and unfortunately, I keep forgetting that it's not my favorite brunch place, so I keep going. I love the atmosphere, and the get-your-own beverage plan (which ensures that you don't wait for water or coffee). The service has always been satisfactory and the waitstaff is friendly. Why only three stars, you ask? I will tell you that it is based solely on my opinions regarding home fries and omelets, and the reason I'm posting this is to inform fellow omelet enthusiasts about the way in which Sound Bites omelets are made. They basically cook scrambled eggs in a large patty form, and then throw a bunch of cheese, veggies and/or meat inside and fold it. What results is a hot egg patty with a bunch of cold fillings inside. My favorite example of this is one of the omelets with avocado, where they use an entire half of an avocado, not cut up, and throw it inside the said egg patty. I tend to want some roasted potatoes when I order home fries, but that's just a preference. Be aware that when you order the home fries, they are not cut up potatoes, they are a mound of mashed home fried potatoes. I give them kudos for trying something different and the potatoes taste good, but seem to get cold quickly, so don't wait too long to eat them. There's not a lot of parking, so be prepared to walk for a bit.
The service blows donkey balls, it's tiny and cramped... but the food is fantastic. I loooooove their wonder waffles. Piled high with all the fruit you could ever eat, all fresh and tasty. Their hot chocolates are the bizzlebomb too. Oh oh oh, and unlike some other places, you don't need to be part of any hipster club to eat there. Hoorah to that. Oh and when I say the service sucks, I mean it's slow. I don't agree with the other reviewers who complain about the owner yelling at them for leaving a shitty tip, or for wasting space while people are in line. I think that's hilarious and those people deserve what they get. 15% is the new 10%, people. Ooooh, I just read they have a new location, so maybe it's not so cramped anymore after all!
(4)
Ryan M.
I went around 11:30 on a Saturday; one of their busiest times, so keep in mind that this review reflects that. I needed a good "I woke up on a friend's futon after a great party, don't own a cellphone, I'm kind of hungry, and I'm trying to find the Davis Square T" breakfast, and this seemed like the place to go! The menu was a little misleading. You had to *know* that all the item (or just the omelettes?) included mashed potatoes (hash browns? Really garlic mashed potatoes) and a stack of toast. I thought I was ordering a plate of vegetables ($7.99) with a side of challah french toast ($2.99). Turned out, it was the biggest omelette I've ever seen in my life, with all the aforementioned side dishes. The french toast was awesome, and exactly as I expected. It took about 20 minutes to get to me, which isn't too bad, but it was a little sad when I was by myself, hungry, and sitting awkwardly at the bar without anything to read. They brought the bill to me before I had finished eating, which I didn't mind, but if you're dining with a friend and plan to be there for a bit I could see it being annoying. The waitress also took my plates when I was only questionably done. I realized I didn't feel like finishing the potatoes and toast after she started taking them away, so whatever. A few things they could have done better: Drink prices. Drinks are self-serve and I had no idea how much they cost before I got the bill. I had a large coffee for $2.50, which is reasonable, but it's just good to know, you know? Butter needs to be warm. Yeah, this is a nit-picky thing, but it would be SO much better if the butter were spreadable when they brought it to you, instead of the recently-refrigerated butter packets that take forever to melt. The food was good and there was a ton of it -- hence the three stars.
(3)
Luke A.
Why does this place have schitczophrenic reviews? Why do half the people rave and half hate? The food at this place is stunningly good. The basics are great (pancakes, french toast) and they have a few twists on the menu that give the food an edge over your average breakfast spot. There is a line all the time. Good news: the owner keeps people movin. You won't wait long. Bad news: you won't eat long, cause the owner keeps people movin. You get your own coffee, which I like, your food comes right out and they remind you how to find your way out when you look like ur done. If you're OK with that this place is awesome if not, then u'll hate it.
(4)
Jacqueline L.
The brunch at Sound Bites is just awesome, the selection of menu items is really vast and everything that I had so far tasted really yummy. Also, the open Coffee bar has different types of coffee, which I really appreciate. The only thing that's a shame here is that the servers most of the times really rush you - they often bring you the check while you're still eating. All in all though, it's a really nice place to come have breakfast/brunch!
(4)
Katherine D.
Best breakfast I've ever had. I live right down the street so I'm lucky to get my bfast-fix during the week to beet the lines. (Which are astonishing on a saturday or sunday morning) My favorite is the stuffed french toast. The omelets are great also! Sometimes I would stop in for coffee on my walk to work in the mornings, it's always fresh!
(5)
Kristen B.
I really don't understand how Sound Bites has such a big hype around it. Boyfriend and I went there for brunch on a Sunday when we found out our nearby lunch choice was closed. We figured "Hey, Sound Bites is supposed to be really good and neither of us have been there so might as well check it out while we're here." I got a simple scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. 1) The eggs I can't really judge since I was being adventurous ordering them in the first place since I normally don't eat eggs. However my boyfriend tried some and wasn't impressed. 2) Bacon. Skinniest, most limp piece of bacon I have ever received in a breakfast restaurant. Ridiculous. They were pretty much the equivalent of the Oscar Meyer Ready to Serve Bacon that you microwave for like 15 seconds and its done, which don't get me wrong I love when I'm at home for the pure convenience of it, but when I get bacon at a restaurant, I want the real deal and Sound Bites does not give you the real deal. 3) Home Fries. I have a mixed opinion on this one. The texture was interesting how they were more like mashed potatoes, and at first I liked it but after eating them they left a very bad aftertaste, that I just couldn't pinpoint what they might have added to them to cause that. 4) Toast, or should I say bread. My "toast" was barely even toasted. Like they put it in the toaster for a second and took it out again. It was cold too. Toast is pretty hard to mess up, but they did. That says a lot. Again, I don't understand the hype around this place because the breakfast I had here was pretty bad in all aspects. It was my first experience here, but I really can't even bring myself to give them another chance.
(1)
Aboud Y.
Great breakfast place; I'd say the best breakfast in Boston's er I mean Somerville's breakfast Mecca (otherwise known as Ball Square). Other options in the area include Ball Sq Cafe (the copycats next door) and the decent Kelly's Diner. Sound Bites beats them all with a great menu, delicious pancakes and eggs, and friendly service. Beware the lines on weekends though.
(3)
Jenn D.
the stuffed french toast was delicious! and i also liked the self serve drinks. try the chocolate raspberry coffee
(4)
Sara Y.
Awesome! Had a large group and they did what they could to accommodate. Then the food came out and everyone's dish looked so good. It tasted as good as it looked.
(5)
Jeannie H.
I came here for brunch and though the line appeared insurmountable with my growling stomach, it moved quickly and I was seated within 15 minutes. Atmosphere - The atmosphere is bustling and crowded but not overwhelming. I actually enjoyed the energy on a Saturday morning. Service- The service was rapid. Our food came within 10 minutes of ordering. Food - The coffee is awful. It's so watered down. I ordered the French toast that was encrusted in granola and walnuts and then smothered with blueberries and caramelized bananas. It was so so good. So good. I also got an omelette with tomatoes and artichokes. I think the egg was a little too thick and not delicate enough. This was a great place for brunch but likely not a place I'll come back to for a regular meal.
(4)
Chris C.
On my recent visit to the Fletcher School, I was completely caught off guard by the gem I found located right off of campus. I was quickly seated at the bar with my friend (despite a packed restaurant) right in front of the tv on football Sunday. Though I could've been sold at that very moment, but obviously that wouldn't have made for much of a review. I ordered the cubed combo -- Eggs, a bagel/toast/ french toast/ and a meat of choice. Thinking that because the prices were so low, the portioning would be small, I ordered a side of homefries. Was I ever wrong about the portioning... The coffee was delicious, diverse in flavor selection, and fresh. Sound Bites gives you an option of adding any number of flavoring syrups at your own discretion. The food quickly came out and I was blown away by the amount on the plate. It took a good 45 minutes of chowing down in the pleasant atmosphere to even make a dent in my meal. I finally finished, virtually bulging at the seams where I sat. Just when I thought that this experience was as successful as possible, the owner came by and spoke personally with me, inquiring about where I was from and what I was up to in Medford/Somerville. He then insisted that the bartender (who I had bantered with about nfc/afc rivals throughout breakfast) make me a mimosa on the house. Why, you may ask? I honestly have no idea. My only assumption is that the owner is really that good of a guy, interested in what his customers have to say. I will be headed back to Fletcher in the Winter and I can assure you that I will find myself sitting in Sound Bites every morning throughout my stay.
(5)
Laura G.
Sometimes I can't help but think that perhaps I'm not ordering the right things at certain places that are raved about, yet I find simply meh at best. Granted, I did order a simple egg dish, but shouldn't that be something that is done well first? I mean come on now, order of operations here people! Must master simple scrambled eggs before moving on to harder tasks, I'd hate to see how they fare with Eggs Benny or even gasp, Hollandaise sauce. To sum it up, this place is like an assembly line of food that disappoints. Not only that, but the service is consistently giving you a subtle "get out" vibe that i got the second I walked in the door. Having gone at a more tame brunch hour, the line was nonexistent. Well, it wasn't out the door anyway, we had to wait a few minutes. We walk in: Hi. How many? Two please. Ok 5 minutes. *stares at us almost angrily* Um, is it ok if we wait inside? OK. (from the start it seemed like he wanted us on the other side of the door) We sit. Barely get a chance to open the fairly expansive menu before someone comes by to ask if we're ready. No dude, we just effing sat down. A few minutes pass, still pondering. Asks us again. By the time we had actually decided (and mind you, it was not an abnormally long time) he had asked us if we were ready about 4 times. Rush us much? The drinks are self serve which has its ups and downs. I'd prefer not to have to get up and serve myself in a restaurant setting, but hey, for whatever reason, Ball Sq seems pretty keen on this set up. (see: Ball Square Cafe - and a much better option by the way on the whole). I grab some "fresh squeezed" OJ. It has a strange taste. Boyfriend said the coffee was solid though. Not that it does me any good... Food comes up astonishingly fast. Like, almost too fast. The kinda fast that makes you wonder about what went into the preparation. The food was as if it was someone who's never cooked before first attempt at making breakfast. While there were no glaring major errors to report, it was far from what I would consider good. And even farther from what others have considered the "best of Boston". While the order was made correctly, I was expecting more considering the reviews and its proximity to a high profile rival, the Ball Sq Cafe. I figured it would at least be in competition with its neighbor. The "home fries" were really a lump of strangely sour mashed potatoes (another category in which the Ball Sq Cafe severely has them beat... they make awesome fried mashed potatoes). These are not "home fries". They aren't even hash browns. They're a strange mixture that led me to believe I was getting one thing and didn't. About halfway through my meal, one of the people who work there literally tried to wrestle the food out of my hands. She asked me if I was done, I said "no, I'm still working on it" and she reached over me and tried to take the plate away. Really? why even ask me if you're just gonna try and snatch it anyhow? The check was dropped off immediately (what if I wanted to order something else?) and the second we dropped some cash down on the table, their supersonic hearing picked up on it and they immediately got the bill paid. While normally I am all for prompt service, it really felt like they just wanted us the hell outta there. I'd hate to see how much they rush you out when there is actually a line of people waiting for a table. Do yourself a favor and go nextdoor. The service is friendly, welcoming and the food is a million times better. Soundbites, I don't get it.
(2)
Ryan S.
Since I moved to Boston, I have been looking for a great breakfast spot, and I have been having trouble finding a good one. Well, this place takes the cake. I am clearly not alone in thinking this as there is always a LONG line to get a seat. That can suck on cold days, but it is so worth it in my opinion. This place is my next morning after a fun night out place, and it always satisfies. Though the line is long and the wait can be too, they are very efficient at fitting people in quickly and are very friendly dealing with the crowd of people that might be otherwise grumpy from waiting in line. You can serve yourself a cup of coffee while you wait in line to pass the time too. The atmosphere is lively, warm and welcoming. The service is fast and friendly. And the the food...the food is sooo flavorful and delicious! They are creative with their meals and offer flavors that you rarely find in the greater Boston area. My only complaint, the breakfast burrito is not served on weekends. Being a So Cal guy, I miss a good breakfast burrito after a night of drinking. Maybe someday they will change that. I highly recommend going here for a great breakfast any day of the week though. Just be prepared for a line on the weekend, but unlike snooty Boston places, you can chat up people in line and maybe even make a new friend.
(5)
shannon c.
I know this place has been in the news a bunch because of the owner. I could care less. I've only had to wait in line once. I tend to go a little later for brunch on the weekends - usually after noon and I never have a problem getting in. Their Eggs Benedict was spot on. Oh my God was it delish. I wanted to eat the whole thing but I couldn't because I was so stuffed and that made me the saddest person on earth to leave half of it on the plate. The drinks are serve yourself and the waitstaff really only takes your order and brings your food. I always have a hard time figuring out what to tip in this situation. I totally believe in tipping, but when you aren't checking in on me, bringing me drinks etc. I'm reluctant to leave the standard 20%. I left 15%. I acknowledge that they do clean my table and take the care to get my food for me so I feel like that's a good standard to live by. My boyfriends French toast was amazing. I loved it. Also, the coffee options are great. Good flavors and I do appreciate preparing it myself. Totally worth coming here, and if I had to, I would wait in the line.
(4)
Alex B.
Very good breakfast. I was looking to get out of Boston for a good breakfast and a friend from the area had recommended this place. It seemed to be pretty big with the Tufts crowd and has a collegiate feel to it. I am not sure if there is a T Stop nearby but parking in the area can be somewhat difficult. I ordered the Tomato and Avocado Eggs Bene. This was served with homefries that were more like mashed potatoes, yumm. And their fresh squeezed OJ puts Tropicana and Minute Maid to shame. My friend got the corned beef hash and she really seemed to enjoy it as it is one of the few places that make it without onions. Overall, well worth the Saturday morning drive. Just be prepared to keep your eyes peeled for parking spots.
(4)
Jamie C.
ok here's a tip if you hate waiting in line hungover on a Saturday morning - try soundbites for dinner and some drinks on a Wednesday night. I can't understand why this place hasn't caught on as a dinner destination. you can get breakfast all day, so if you need to fulfill a craving for french toast at 9pm you are all set. But the rest of the menu is really quite good, especially the middle eastern plates, mmm mousaka. It's so much less crowded and crazy at night, you can basically sit wherever you want (I generally choose the bar), the service is awesome and the people are so nice. AND they have a full bar. bloody marys and french toast on a Wednesday night while watching the red sox or bruins? Why not? And if you're lucky the bartender will make you special shots and bring you a fruit plate. LOVE IT.
(5)
betsy y.
UPDATE: Mr. Mirza read my review and messaged me about it in less than 10 hours: BUSTED! I have to give him props for caring enough to follow his Yelp reviews and actually respond to the reviewers! And for that, we may give Sound Bites a second chance AND, I gave him another star. To be continued... ORIGINAL REVIEW: Judging by the other reviews, we must have eaten at Sound Bites on an off day. The food was about as fresh going in as it was coming out. Please excuse my candor, but I cannot shield you from the horror that was Sound Bites. The "homefries" which had the consistency of "home" instant mashed potatoes had a flavor I cared not to pinpoint if it meant taking another bite. I ordered the "grilled blueberry muffin" plate. Sounds fab, right? Except the muffin tasted freezer-burned. The omelet was edible. Luckily, our 2-year-old cared not a fig about old muffins grilled to cover up staleness, as he woofed down my entire meal...except for those "homefries," y'all. No. Just...no. Also, pro tip for the misogynistic owner-looking dude in the phony chef's smock who TOOK OUR ORDER (!?)...the mean Soup Nazi bit only works when your food TASTES GOOD.
(2)
Bob B.
I know plenty of people love this place but I just don't get it, I have tried it for breakfast several times and, until now, assumed I was just catching them on a bad day. This last time will be my last time. How do you screw up pancakes? If you like them rock hard then you will like them here. They want to turn over the tables really quick so don't get too relaxed.
(1)
Morgan B.
My roommate and I just moved to Arlington from Maine and we consider ourselves regulars at Sound Bites. It's our favorite breakfast spot and we always have a memorable experience every time we go. The owners are awesome and always bring us out little treats to try. My favorite thing is the French toast with caramelized bananas and strawberries. They have a French toast section in their menu that is very extensive. The omelets are also bomb.com . Such a great breakfast spot.
(5)
Mara M.
This place is amazing. Service is quick, coffee is plentiful, and every dish I've ever had is awesome. Great friendly vibe too. A must-do for brunch!! Hibiscus mimosa yummmmy
(5)
Brittany D.
To be fair, I have been to this place multiple times in hopes I got a bad time after the good one I had. Before I was brought here with friends and got the goat cheese and pear French toast, which was amazing and I raved about it. Until I went back. This last time, I'm over it. My boyfriend and I went around ten on a weekday and got sat quickly. We then endured, stomachs growling, about ten minutes of servers passing us by. Once out order was finally placed we were served their fruit bowl which came with their breakfast. It had obviously been from when the prep guy cut it because it was just old. You know when fruit sits it gets clear around the edges. That was what we got. Our breakfast was sub par as what I've gotten the past couple times. Too bad the first was the best.
(1)
Jason S.
Dear yelpers and readers, You must be fair in your assessment of this restaurant. I've been going to this place for over 10 years now. The thing I appreciate about this place is they are willing to take a different stance on their food. Their hash browns are different. It's their spin on it and I like it a lot. If you don't like different spices and a totally different take vs. the sliced potato with onions/peppers etc. then that's your thing. I like it because it's unique. I've had the Eggs Benedict and it wasn't my all-time favorite, but solid. The french toast is special because of the bread and it is a little sugary (which I like). Get the fresh fruit on top! This recent visit, I got the pumpkin waffle with caramelized apples! Loved it. I'm not going to bag on the service because it is a family owned business. They aren't from america and they are very busy. If you are going to be stuck up snob about how they treat people, then that's on you. They have to run a business and why do they have a line out the door? because your ass is taking too long to eat while you chat about your drama that no one cares about. It's about eating and moving on. If this place was in NYC then you'd feel like you were in a peaceful environment. Go ahead and enjoy. If you are easily offended, then go ahead and pass on this place because it doesn't need your wimpy complaints.
(5)
Melissa M.
I just wanted to get on and amend a previous review I wrote. We went in today after receiving a gift certificate after a bad "egg" experience (as the people at sound bites apparently call it). Everything was wonderful today and the wait staff and owner were very nice. And that was before they knew we were using a gift certificate from a previous bad meal. We got amazing banana blueberry pancakes (much better then the pumpkin) and the green omelet which was delicious. It's definitely back in our favorite breakfast places!
(5)
Dan S.
Really good food, I only have had breakfast there but I'm sure lunch is good too. The self coffee station is really cool and easy. I would defiantly recommend this place to anyone who loves breakfast
(4)
Christine D.
Amazing peanut butter and nutella stuffed French toast! They can make you pancakes in almost any flavor combination, its unreal. If you're more of a salty person than sweet they still have really good omlettes, eggs, potatotes, and breakfeast sandwiches. I didn't give it 5 stars because the coffee and drinks are self-serve, that is so annoying. Also, parking is always impossible to find. Great food though.
(4)
Benny D.
Hands down best breakfast in Boston area. I have taken about a dozen friends and family here and they all loved it. Anyone in the know realizes it is the original compared to the knockoff next door (Ball Sq Cafe). If you don't believe me just google the history. Large quantities, quality and value combine here for the 5 stars. Try the broadway bowl, or anything... My buddy tried the sweet pepper hash today and said it was the best Hash he's ever had. The management is extremely kind. Self-serve all you can drink coffee caters to my value seeking nature. And it's good coffee with tons of flavors and sweeteners and such. Bottom line is you can't go wrong here. I am not sure how you could give this place a bad review but I guess sometimes you have to disregard the outliers...
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Christopher F.
Sound Bites is a place that is well-situated in the Ball Square area and generates lots of clientele from Tufts University students. The prices are affordable and the portion sizes are large. I have come here a few times with my girlfriend and ordered a few items. Here are my thoughts on these products. Eggs Benedict-- this dish was okay. The eggs were cooked well, but the holllandaise sauce, a make-or-break-your-dish sauce, was not done so well. It was very greasy and made without proper technique-- it should've been smooth and creamy instead of heavy and solid. Nevertheless, the food was filling. Banana-Nut Cakes--Rich, nutty, sweet and fluffy, a total hit and a must recommend. I would say that of all the items listed, this is their specialty. Boston's Best Blue- Very filling once again. Unfortunately, I highly doubt that the tasty blueberry muffin that was toasted on the griddle was made on premises. Negative points for that. The bacon was very thin and not of the highest quality, but serviceable. The cheddar cheese omelet was okay--but nothing better than anything I could make myself. Sweet Pepper Corned Beef Hash-- The corned beef hash tastes really good-- a nice combination of salted corned beef and moist, mashed potatoes. The waiter staff and manager were both friendly and attentive everytime that I have come here. The self-serve drinks selection was certainly different and the drinks themselves are a bit overpriced for my liking. The dishes though come a bit uncharacteristically fast, which suggest that most of the food isn't prepared fresh though. Come here for a large breakfast once and a while if you have nowhere better to go and are in the area--the food is okay and affordable.
(3)Michelle C.
4.5 on the Benny Scale I've been on a search for the Best Benny in Boston 2010. My #1 fav spot, Grecian Yearning in Allson, sadly, burned down (sniff) and I've been in search of benny ever since. This was my first trip here and definately won't be the last. The Avacado & tomatoe eggs benny was Delic! The hollandais was creamy smooth with lemoney goodness and the avacado portion was Huge!...and the potatoes!! I loooved that they were GRILLED mashed potatoes with a little bit of heat to them and all golden crusted....yummmmm (I posted a pix). My only complaint was that the english muffin was toasted lightly and my eggs were a little on the poached well side...I like my muffin with more of a crunch to it and my eggs lightly poached so the yolk breaks and runs everywhere. When my friend and I arrived (11ish on Sunday), there was a line out the door, but because it was just the two of us, we were seated immediately. The waitstaff was fast, friendly and efficient and the prices were fair. Even though the place was packed, I didn't feel rushed. I will definately be back for more!
(4)M. M.
I invited my friends with two daughters for the breakfast. It wasn't crowded on Thursday morning. The breakfast was excellent. Kids loved the dessert. Very nice clean place, fast service and generous portions.
(5)Ayad S.
Best service..food..coffee ever .. I would recommend this place to everyone .. I lovee green eggs at soundbites and all kind of food is awesome .. fruit always fresh .. coffee is best coffee I had ever
(5)Lily W.
I don't care what anyone says; I'm a fan. Given, I haven't been to many brunch places, and am by no means a connoisseur, so take what you will from my review. I came on a weekday afternoon with my boyfriend, and was ecstatic to know that they serve breakfast all day. We were told "anywhere you like" once we came in, and the wait staff were very accomodating to seat us next to the window. I usually stay away from the pancake/waffle/french toast options in favor of omelettes and eggs, but today I found myself debating between two of many stuffed french toast options: the peanut butter and banana or nutella and banana (I chose the latter), while my partner chose to go with a big breakfast platter with two eggs over easy, sausage, pancakes, and whole wheat toast. Our food came (with quite large portions!) and mine came with sliced banana on top, as well as butter and a little cap of maple syrup. It was quite good; there was, surprisingly, a citrus-y flavor to my french toast, I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it worked well. I tried a forkful of my boyfriend's pancakes and enjoyed those immensely. There wasn't much to RAVEEEE about but I definitely enjoyed what I ate for the price and would definitely visit again. The wait staff were friendly, in my opinion (maybe they are only nice when they are not frazzled by weekend brunch-goers) and the options were extensive and seemed extremely yummy. I was a little confused by the self-serve nature of the drinks, so I opted for water.
(4)Cammy C.
Not a huge fan of breakfast foods to begin with, but Sound Bites offers a hearty meal for a cheap price.The food was pretty good for the most part, the service was a little shabby. I had never had a grilled blueberry muffin before, it sounded kind of weird but it was actually quite good! The country fries were not what I expected, they were more like mashed potatoes, but still tasty! The grilled cheese omelet was just okaaayy, and the french toast was the biggest disappointment. SO DRY and tasteless. Also, I don't like that they put feta cheese and goat cheese in a lot of their dishes. But I like that the coffees and teas are all self serve with free refills, and you can even take a cup with you to-go! The worst part was that towards the end of our meal, my friend and I wanted to sit for a minute and enjoy another cup of coffee but our waitress kept rushing us to sign the bill, and then taking all our plates away, even with food still on it! And then proceeded to wipe down our table before we even left. I understand that there is usually a long line out the door, but we waited for that table just like everyone else has to, and we deserve a fair amount of time to sit and enjoy our meal.
(3)Ali M.
Three stars to me means good enough to try and make your own assumptions. Went on a Sunday at 9:45am, 10+ people line out the door and we were seated and had coffee within 4 minutes of walking up. Not too shabby. The coffee self serve bar is amazing but $3.00/cup though for self serve is pushing it. They were quick. And I love it. Was checked on by multiples of people which was nice and attentive. Best turkey sausage breakfast sandwich I'd ever tasted. Breakfast egg bowl was legit as well. I'd go again to try something else. It's packed, but service is great.
(3)Matt W.
I love this place, especially at night. The food is excellent, they have the full breakfast menu available at night, along with a good selection of american and middle eastern food. They also make a great burger. The bartender is awesome, very knowledgeable and makes awesome mixed drinks, as well as keeping a great selection of beer on tap and in bottles. You aren't going to find Budweiser or Miller on tap here, they have some of the best craft breweries on tap (Lagunitas, Clown Shoes, Jack's Abby, Baxter Brewing, and many more), and the beer selection changes fairly regularly. It's a great place to watch a sports game, there are TVs everywhere. You can easily see one from any seat in the place. I can't recommend this place enough. Good food, good drinks, and great staff.
(5)Jeff T.
Owner completely took care of me! Was in town from Seattle and parked in loading zone out front-- as soon as I stepped in the store he advised me I would get a ticket, so he said he would meet me across the street with quarters, and he did so promptly!! Fresh fruit on the house and amazing breakfast! Couldn't have asked for better treatment! Made me feel at home. Thank you!!!
(5)Ziyan C.
Yummy... great brunch. Not the absolute best in the Boston area.. I'd still prefer Neighborhood any day (since you get like a 4 course meal, and the wheat meal is AWESOME).. but Sound Bites is still up there. I'm really glad I came here and tried it. Also love that they have breakfast all day. We got free fruit plates.. nice touch. Service here was good & casual. You have to get your own water. They came by a bunch of times to get our order but we weren't ready, and when we finally were ready the service seemed to disappear. We ordered: (Special) Strawberry, banana, cream cheese stuffed french toast - really good! Special was supposed to be blueberries but they left me sub in strawberries. This was delicious; however I was a little disappointed it wasn't actually *stuffed* french toast but more like a french toast sandwich. Doesn't stay together as well when you're eating. Cereal walnut almond french toast - delicious, but a lot sweeter than the stuffed french toast. Loved all the fruit on top. Greek omelette - they make their omelettes fluffy - just a personal preference thing, but I don't like them as much this way. This was ok.. not spectacular. Their
(4)Melly H.
Was in the area and wanted to check out sound bites. It was one of those freezing mornings and the wait was about 15min for a seat, although there is not much waiting space we were able to stand inside which was nice. Once seated the server explained the drink service, which is self serve. Not that I mind getting my own drink it makes it a bit difficult when the place is packed. I ordered the western omelet and home fries the omelette which was good and had fresh veggies the home fries are not really my taste, they are more like mashed potato. The owner came by the table to chat for a bit which is always nice. Overall good place, I'll return.
(3)AJ J.
This place is awesome. Everything I've had there is awesome (although I only ever get breakfast food), they're open late, prices are reasonable, and you never leave feeling hungry. I like it better than the Ball Square Cafe, but that might be because I'm used to it.
(5)Mervett H.
Now that I've discovered the other breakfast restaurants in the area, I feel that I can say that Sound Bites is just ok. Standard omelettes and toast, a good space, a filling breakfast -- it just.. is. I will give them this - they do serve a good amount of food so if you're looking to skip your other meals, a Sound Bites breakfast can fill you up. Our waitress was sweet but this other guy was pretty much hovering over us once we had finished our food. It was a Tuesday afternoon - there was plenty of space so it wasn't a matter of us holding up some line. Long review short: great for quantity, standard for quality.
(3)Elise N.
Thank you to Sound Bites for a great breakfast this morning - despite it being almost 11am on a Saturday morning we didn't have to wait very long and even if we had had to wait, it would've been worth it! The giant fruit bowl they offer is totally worth the price - like 12 or 13 fruits in one bowl! Lots of unique offerings like stuffed french toast, delish! See full review here at The Academic Chef.
(4)Sharif E.
I went with my girlfriend and loved the food. I had the challah French toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream. When they say fresh fruit they are not playing around. The French toast would have been good alone but the watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, mango, bananas, grapes just to name a few. They were all in season and so sweet. I didn't need to add the maple syrup at all but I did. You can call it greedy I guess. The "No Place like Home Fries" had a slight orange taste to them no way overwhelming, but wakes up potatoes in a great way. My girlfriend had the stuffed French toast that was hiding the goat cheese and pear. I won't even speak on the omelette she had looked amazing if I wasn't allergic to mushrooms. I would have defiantly sampled. When in Somerville or Massachusetts for that matter of fact I will make sure I stop at soundbites for breakfast. These days customer service tends to suck. The staff at soundbites don't fall into that category at all. They were attentive and quick, another plus why I will return.
(4)Jonathan M.
I lived near sound bites for years and it has remained my hands down favorite place for brunch/breakfast. The food is amazing with lots of options, the prices are fair and the fact you can just go get your coffee and juice is amazing. The owner Yasser figured out I was regular after my 3rd visit...he not only gave me free fruit when I came in but made it a point to ask me about my day. I live a bit further from it now and whenever I can, I make it a point to go there for brunch.
(5)Jacqueline B.
Do yourself a favor: get a grilled corn muffin, share an order of French toast, and keep refilling your self serve coffee mug. The staff is super friendly, and quick to bring your food. No rushing here, so chill with your cup of Joe and eat away the hangover.
(5)Sarah Q.
First, let me say that I came to Sound Bites for a private event (movie screening), and have not been on a regular day. Three stars for a surprising beer collection and decent food. However, the service was terrible! The bartender was clearly trying really hard, but was clearly understaffed and overwhelmed. Plus, the credit machine behind the bar was down, so he had to keep pushing through the crowd to run credit cards over at the coffee counter. Oy. I would definitely go back on a regular day to check it out.
(3)Christie N.
Wow. This place has the best breakfast I've ever had. I don't live anywhere near Cambridge but I am certain that I will be back soon and often. I ordered the Blueberry & Mascarpone Cheese French Toast - It was fantastic. I didn't put any syrup on it because it was perfect just the way it was. I also ordered a side of corned beef hash. It was cooked perfectly and a perfectly balanced ratio of corned beef to potatoes. My friends and I all shared our meals, so I got to try the corned beef hash eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce is perfectly smooth, rich, and creamy. No lumps, and made from scratch. The home fries are awesome, even though I had my doubts. It looks like very lumpy mashed potatoes formed into a patty, with a hint of roasted garlic...and then grilled. Not what I am used to, but delicious, nonetheless. I also tried french toast stuffed with goat cheese, cranberries, and apples. Goat cheese is kind of risky because it can be barnyardish at times...But this was perfect. The sweet/tart/creamy combination was great. The place is super busy. Although there was a line, it moved pretty quickly. The service was excellent. My friend dropped her napkin. Within seconds, before we even had the chance to summon a server for another napkin, someone flew over to the table to give her another napkin. The only downside to this place (other than the fact that it's too far away from my house) is the self-serve coffee/beverages. It's old school and charming in that way, but it can be a real cluster**** when a bunch of people all decide at the same time that they want coffee. But really - go to this place. Once you've had the food here, Sound Bites will be one of those places that you seek out because you have a hankering for a perfect breakfast that you can't get anywhere else.
(5)Joe R.
I like Sound Bites because I get to meet my friends here, who just love the place. I'm a basic coffee first, then some eggs and toast. They just do these things ok. With what is going on with food, I think a shake up is needed. More variety, a little more pepper and salt, a different take on coffee. A good greasy spoon!
(3)Conor M.
Don't buy the hype. Horrendous service. Way over priced. Under cooked bacon is a tragedy. Don't disrespect bacon like that. Damn.
(1)P. M.
Easy to get a table, but many of the employees are rude. I got a fruit plate here an it was kind of...expired. I've had a few different omelets. Nothing too special! Because they can be so rude, the average food tastes even worse. Only reason to go is to skip the line or to get booze. I go next store...Worth the wait.
(3)Mike R.
Nothing special, and the fruit did not seem fresh. My date and I both decided we would never like to go back; I am sure there are many local options like this almost wherever you are in Cambridge. Some other facts: big portions, sugary, the homefries tasted like mashed potatoes, avocado on the eggs benedict was good, eggs themselves cooked well, tomato was not good, date thought the caramelized fruit on the french toast was used because it would have gone bad if not cooked. Update: the management kindly offered my date and I an opportunity to return for free along with an apology.
(2)Luke B.
Sound bites is a decent place to grab breakfast, the line is usually not to huge early on the weekends and they can usually accommodate larger parties. The reason for the 2 stars is because of the way they try to corral you in and out of the restaurant, it's like a f-ing cattle auction. I usually go out to breakfast when I have friends or family in town and for that reason I like to be able to chill out and take my time eating breakfast and catching up with my peeps. I understand that they need to turn their tables and that they're business model is based on trying to get the most heads in and out especially on the weekend, but Mr. Soundbite you have to temper this practice with a little customer service, your staff has to actually attempt to realistically gauge whether people seem like they're done. Your staff should be able to notice that if I have a 1/2 of my food left on my plate and my coffee is full and my fork is still traveling to the plate and then to my mouth with food on it as they walk over and that I haven't left my card on the check that they dropped 35 seconds after my food arrived THAT I'M NOT F-ING FINISHED! I hate dishonest questions and it insults my intelligence to be asked "are you done with that when the obvious underlying question is "will you please hurry up so I can jam another group in". I have almost gotten into a screaming match with 2 employees at this fine establishment after being asked "are you done with that" 3 or 4 times in a 3 or 4 minute period by the same employee. The last time I was here I was finishing my coffee and the manager actually came up to me and said "you can take that to go you know"...seriously?? And it's not like we're spending hours there, maybe AN hour at most. As such the "thank you have a nice day" as I have left the last couple times has been as fake as their default pancake syrup. All this being said, call me a masochist i still find myself here often because the food is pretty good, the fruit plates are huge and the coffee is delicious. Just be prepared to have to tell some bussers and the manager to f-off a few times and hold onto your seat while your eating or they'll pull it out from under you. They are a 3/3.5 star joint for the food but when I'm going out to eat the overall experience is what counts.
(2)Alex Q.
The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, and the food's good. The self-service drink thing is a little weird, but that's my only (small) complaint, if you can call it that.
(4)Tyler A.
No Yasser. You lack basic knowledge on how to run a business. If so, you would have addressed this matter when I brought it up to you outside of Sound Bites where you were smoking a cigarette. You don't care because people will keep going because they lack alternatives. I have better places to go such as Ball Square or Alfresco and would not step back in Sound Bites free meal or not. Good places get good reviews. Take a tip from Davis Square Pizza...I gave them a bad review, they are right next to my apartment. The owner contacted me like a gentleman, didn't try to bribe me or harass me, just said, "hey, I screwed up, give me a chance and I will make it better, please remove your negative review" and I did because HE knows how a business is run. Just a Note 3/31/2012 New! Photo of yasser m. 3 friends 0 reviews yasser m. Somerville, MA Send Message All your reviews are just trying to hurt business , so we don't need you in our business , no breakfast for you . Approve Delete Block User Just a Note 2/10/2012 New! Photo of yasser m. 3 friends 0 reviews yasser m. Somerville, MA Send Message For your review of: Sound Bites Sorry, I'm not sending you a gift certificate , we don't like your respond
(1)Lynn C.
2pm on a cold sunny sunday afternoon and i wanted pancakes. A quick Bing search on "pancakes in Boston" brought up sound bite. I recalled how often the name came up on the Yelp Talk forum and I said, let's go get some pancakes and there we were! I wouldn't say this place is in the middle of nowhere, but it definitely felt like it as we pulled up to a street parking spot across the street from the restaurant. My boyfriend was a little uncertain about its appearance on the outside, but I told him that if my fellow yelpers said it's good, then it must be good. When we walked in, we were immediately excited by the cool-casual atmosphere and the little coffee bar at the corner of the restaurant. We got a table right away, and our server was friendly and helpful. My blueberry pancakes were just okay i guess, not very sweet, which can be a good thing or bad thing depending on how big of a sweet tooth you have. Their syrup isn't so sweet either. My boyfriend's breakfast plate was amazing though. The sausage links were not like your typical IHOP/Mcdonalds, but tasted better. Their home fries were....THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD. Seriously, i don't know what kinda crack they put in there, but I walked in not feeling very hungry, and i ate all of my boyfriend's home fries (which looked kinda like mashed potatoes but had this distinct indescribable flavour). The coffee wasn't strong enough for me, but it was good coffee nonetheless. I just love the whole experience of the place, sitting there casually in the afternoon eating good food. I might just be a regular here.
(4)Chris M.
Best breakfast I had in a long time. I had the eggs Benedict and a side of pancakes, and both were phenomenal. Service was also excellent, waiter was very attentive. I love the outdoor seating, and they open up the restaurant wall so you get the benefit of almost being outside, but also the shade and comfort of indoor seating. I don't write yelp reviews - ever, but I had such a great experience here I had to. If there is one negative it's the price, but you get what you pay for.
(5)N D.
This is the kind of weekend brunch place where you wait in a long, but quick, line, chat a bit with friends, eat, and go. Most of the patrons don't linger, and the atmosphere is relaxed but efficient. I was surprised by the length of the menu - it goes on for several pages, and it's quite extensive. The food is good, and it meets the needs of most types of allergies and restrictions. The portions are generous and filling. The food is overall good and consistent. This isn't necessarily gourmet brunch, but it's definitely comfort food that's well-made. The beverages are self-serve, which seemed a little weird to me at first, but it was nice to be able to get refills whenever I wanted. I highly recommend trying this place at least once. I'm definitely a fan.
(4)Anton A.
Sound Bites is open all day, serving breakfast food (and other things, but stick with the breakfast food.) I meet colleagues at Sound Bites on a regular basis. I never go here on the weekend, because it is no fun when there is a mad rush. But you can't beat the quality of life of having brunch at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, just because! So next time you need to meet out of the office, do it at Sound Bites. Someone below complained about being told to check out the drinks case for a specific flavor of iced tea. They should have noted that drinks are self-serve at Sound Bites. I love this part for several reasons: - it keeps the costs lower so they can stay open all afternoon when all the other diners close. - it leaves you the hell alone when you are trying to have a conversation - you can make your coffee exactly the way you want it - it feels sort of co-op, like us walking 20 feet is really helping out :) If you are looking for a waitress to keep you company because you are lonely, then go somewhere else. My favorite dishes are Swine & Swiss (maybe it's the name) and the famous Golden Grill, which is awesome due to the corn muffin grilled on the griddle. Yeah, it's not exactly the most clean griddle, but that's the point! If you don't want diner food, then stay away from that item. Finally, keep in the mind the full liquor license. So yeah, you can have a mimosa while having a brunch meeting in the middle of the week! This is the future of working at home.
(4)David M.
This is a great brunch spot. Unfortunately, everyone north of Boston seems to know that and show up. So expect longish lines, and don't expect to take your time after you're done eating (they push you out pretty quickly). And be prepared to order when you're seated. I do like the self service of the drinks (not waiting around, and you can make your coffee the way you like it). Mostly, this place wins on the great range of brunch items. Sadly, in the end, my desire to not wait in line and then be rushed away from my table does tend to win out... even more sadly, that most people (including my roommates) don't feel this way and keep going. Overall, cool place that is a bit of a somerville landmark, if you have the time, but you won't find me here every weekend.
(3)Ellen H.
I'm being a little harsh here with the 3 stars, but there is a LOT of competition in these parts, so Sound Bites is going to have to change it up to keep up. First of all - bottled water only? Hate it. I know that's strange, but when I pop in with the world's worst hangover I want unlimited ice water and I want it now. I don't want to have to get up every 5 minutes to select a $2 bottle of Poland Springs which may or may not be cold depending on how busy it is and how recently the fridge was stocked. The mashed potatoes are a LITTLE too LOADED with pepper for my taste but the idea of grilled mash potatoes is cool anyway. The omelet was not the way I like mine -- I like it when they fry the fillings/veggies, then add the egg on top so it all cooks in, not when they cook the egg and then wrap the stuff inside so when you cut it and take a bite, ALL the fillings fall out all over your plate -- but it was still good as omelets go. I absolutely refuse to wait in line for this place, so I probably wouldn't come back unless it was some weird off hour. But for someone who hasn't been there, it's worth a try. It's one of those places you either LOVE or you just don't, and everyone's opinion is going to be different - this is just mine!
(3)Nina T.
I've discovered a way to beat the long weekend lines for this popular brunch spot - by going to Sound Bites at night to enjoy French toast for dinner! I love that you can get breakfast anytime here (it reminds me of one of New York's 24- hour diners). I tried their delicious apricot and cream cheese stuffed French toast for dinner at 9pm on a Monday night (they also have a full dinner menu too, I'm just into the idea of eating breakfast at night 'cuz it makes me feel like a rebel). Their portions are generous so I took half my food home, even though I anticipated it being soggy upon being heated up in the microwave - so not the case, because it was actually even better re-heated. Even though they only serve food until 9:30pm, they stay open until 1am, which makes it a nice place to grab a cocktail if you're looking to escape the more crowded bars of Davis Square. I learned that they have a regular trivia night on Thursdays and a new cocktail menu - so I'm looking forward to spending next Thursday night playing trivia with a mojito in one hand and a slab of French toast in the other.
(4)Chris N.
Best breakfast in the Boston area hands down! You cant go wrong with ANY item on the menu. The service is attentive and friendly, especially yasser who will treat you like family!
(5)Scott B.
Here's the problem with crowded brunch hot spots in college towns: The servers tend to neglect your coffee refilling needs. Sound Bites has found the solution: Get your own damn coffee. It's true, there exists a Self-serve java bar at Sound Bites. Holla! Your cup will forever runneth over! Service is good, and the food is fantastic. First, you are served a complimentary fruit platter to hold you over until your meal arrives... which, in my experience, isn't that long of a wait. I recommend trying the turkey sausage patties with your meal... they are fantastic.
(4)DJ N.
It's simple: SOUND BITES NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS!! The food is NOT FRESH, as confirmed by the manager. The service is reprehensible. Here's what I had: Corn beef hash - it tasted like a SALT BOMB. I asked if it was normally so salty and the response was a resounding YES. Rather than take responsibility for giving customers food that is over-salted, the manager told me it's the beef vendor's fault. Since the food was not edible I asked for something else. I chose the "real crab meat" eggs benedict. The "real (OUT OF A CAN) crab meat" eggs benedict made the disgusting corn beef hash taste good. The crab was almost as mushy as my grilled mashed potato. The tomatoes on the eggs benny were not very fresh. The grilled mash was cold on the outside, warm on the inside. I have every reason to believe this was pre-made and left under a heat lamp. The poached egg was the worst part of this dish. How can something be worse than the mushy, from a can, crab meat? The poached eggs were practically hard boiled. They tried to cover it up with the gross hollandaise sauce. I can't believe the chef would allow such a disaster on a plate to leave his/her kitchen. What a mess!!! My friend ordered the Royale Breakfast with an egg white, mushroom and cheese scramble, bacon, and french toast. The cheese on the scramble wasn't melted properly. It was more like an afterthought. The flavor was bland. The french toast was not fresh. It was not even warm enough to melt the butter that was placed on it. We think it may have come out of the microwave, but are not sure. Also, they never once made an effort to take a drink order from my friend. ***If the food portion of this review doesn't keep you away from Sound Bites, then maybe the service aspect will.*** The restaurant is lucky to be busy because of the local college students that are constantly pouring in and out of there. The food is cheap enough so that you don't feel like you wasted A LOT of money. So if it's bad, you will probably just suck it up. I was asked how my meal was and I expressed my displeasure each time. Each time my opinion fell on deaf ears. The manager was like The TEFLON DON. He listened, but gave an excuse for everything that was wrong with the meal and service. The beef is salty due to the supplier. The crab meat is mushy due to coming out of a can. The eggs were poached before they came out of the kitchen. BLAH BLAH BLAH... Everything was associated with an excuse and the manager didn't care if we liked it or not. Sadly, the manager's opinion (after having worked there for "over 15 years") is that they are busy and if someone doesn't like something he can give them something else. Here's a picture of the "poached egg" that I referred to above: instagr.am/p/K7-mlyrHme/… I wouldn't eat here if every meal was free for the rest of my life!! Ball Square Cafe or Neighborhood Cafe are well worth your money and are very close by. Do yourself a favor: AVOID SOUND BITES AT ALL COSTS!!! ******** FROM THE OWNER OF SOUND BITES (after I posted this review): "lets call it two strikes and we're OUT ! we had a lot of fun with this after you left," - yasser m. He has emailed me numerous times with nothing but insults and bullying tactics. What a shame! Shame on you Yasser!!!
(1)Brandon M.
Stopped by for dinner and was told the kitchen closed at 9 when every menu in the restaurant specifically says that dinner ends at 9:30. I really don't like restaurants that can't keep their own hours.
(3)Kristy G.
Great breakfast spot in Somerville. Love the French toast! The long line in front is deceiving, I haven't waited longer than 10 minutes. Fast service, and plenty of options.
(4)Adam P.
Walked in for sunday brunch, left stuffed and content with the experience. Fruit bowl was huge, diverse, and full of (actually) ripe fruit. The hollandaise sauce on the avocado eggs benedict was slightly odd, but the dish was pretty good in general. My 'jalapeno lovers' omelette was packed with avocado and also just good. Homefries were seared mashed potato style and okay (undersalted). At the end of the day, my meal here was okay and I don't have any egregious complaints. That said, I've definitely had better brunches at Kelly's and Ball Square Cafe... doubt I'll be back.
(3)Corie L.
I had the asparagus and tomato eggs benedict which was great. Nice atmosphere and the hanging plants are hung very creatively! The reason for three stars is for the service I received with my vanilla latte. I asked for a vanilla latte and they came back with a perfect latte but no vanilla. I asked politely if the server could bring vanilla syrup but instead he took the late and decided to make a whole new one, which is fine. What wasnt fine was the new latee with vanilla in it came back SUPER hot. I mean it was hotter than dunken donuts coffee. I just got the impression he did that on purpose so thanks to that server I give you guys 3 stars and will not be back for any espresso products.
(3)Daniel R. A.
The food here was amazing. The line on Saturday moved quickly and was well worth the wait. Coffee was brought to me and my friend as we were waiting in line. I would recommend this restaraunt to anyone. It looked like there was a bar and that food was served all day, however, I came for the breakfast and will definitely be going back soon.
(5)Mimi H.
The service here is fantastic. You get fresh fruit before your meal. The owner is so friendly and funny. (at least I think he's the owner). The food is amazing. Smoked Salmon eggs bennidict!?!?! I had no idea it even existed!! It's like 2 of my favorite things in the world combined! And the hash browns... they are like a combination of mash potatoes and everyday hashbrowns, so yummy. I actually use to date some guy because he regularly treated me to Sound Bites.
(4)Spencer M.
On Sunday mornings, I think of one thing and one thing only: the poached egg. I judge all breakfast locales based highly on this fundamental criterion and Sound Bites left me quite disappointed. Like the self-serve coffee/drink bar and the heavy goods (waffles/pancakes), but it leaves a lot to the imagination for their other stuff. Also, their grilled mashed potatoes were good for the first couple bites, but after a while I was left fiending for my tried and true home fries. Hop next door to Ball Square Café for a smaller, more intimate venue (that doesn't mess up the goey happiness of my poachies!).
(3)Jan Marie D.
I always go with my friend who knows the owner, Yassir, so we get stuff on the house, and have tried a wide spread of interesting pairings that way. Some of my favs: * Blueberry marscapone french toast * Pear & goat cheese stuffed french toast * The Broadway bowl (homefries topped with tomato, pepper, onion, avocado, and cheese) * No Place Like Home Fries * Mimooosaaas! Staff is also really nice, and thorough. The kind of staff it feels good to tip 20%. They *would* get 5 stars, but their lunch is just meh. tried the falafel the other day and was wholly unimpressed (surprising from a place claiming Middle Eastern heritage!).
(4)Jacob B.
The food is pretty good. People only think of it a a brunch place but I think the bar is great if your looking for something low key.
(5)Nikki I.
The food here was more like three stars... However, that was skewed for me by the "atmosphere" created by the servers. My table was rushed through our meal so quickly that we were unable to eat before we had checks in our hands and servers were hovering over us until we all had paid. If there was a line, I would have been more understanding...but there was not! I felt too rushed and was unable to enjoy the food or my friends. I will not be returning...unless the world is ending and I need to eat, pay, and be pushed out the door in 20 minutes.
(2)Paul M.
I had clicked 4 stars but then thought "you know, it really was a great breakfast" hence the 5 star rating. Saturday morning, didn't make it before 9 (as recommended here) so had to wait for a bit. I had the heart-attack inducing "corned beef hash omelet" which was really good. Son enjoyed the toasted blueberry muffin (and the challah french toast, and a side of eggs) and our friend got the challah french toast with fruit. It was mobbed and I *sort of* thought they were rushing us, but in the end, felt we were able to eat relatively leisurely. Extensive menu, and really tasty.
(5)Jenifa L.
As amazing as the several hundred reviews say!! If you're in the area you can't go wrong.
(5)Rosa S.
A delicious eggs Benedict, with avocado and tomato, arrived at my door step via delivery from Soundbites. What could be better? Mimosas in coffee cups! I will never again settle for a bagel from dunkin.
(4)Alana L.
I love Sound Bites! Breakfast is all-day and their menu is huge. The home fries are killer (when I say home fries, I mean fried mashed potatoes - don't knock it 'til you've tried it) and I would make a valiant attempt at eating my body weight in their French toast or breakfast bowl. Oh man. The coffee leaves a bit to be desired, but I'm looking for caffeine, not creativity. It's definitely a no-frills type of place - if you're looking to be waited on for every little thing, skip it. Coffee and tea are self-serve, your food will come out quickly, be plunked in front of you, you eat it, and then you leave. The service can be a bit brusque because the place is so busy, but really, I like to be left alone when I'm eating to either talk to my companions or read my book if I'm by myself. Saturday and Sunday mornings, there WILL be a line, make no mistake, even later on in the morning. Be prepared to wait a bit. In the winter, they have heat lamps outside for you to keep warm (the place isn't anywhere near big enough to hold the line inside). They let you go in to get coffee while you're outside, though, which is nice. I take folks here for breakfast all the time and will continue to do so until it closes or I die, whichever comes first.
(4)James F.
We used to frequent this brunch place... after my last visit, where the owner called my friend an "a**hole" for trynig to use a coupon from the childrens hospital charity deck of card, we will never go back. stay away, unless you want to eat overcooked eggs and wash it down with a side of being insulted.
(1)Helen L.
Wow. THE FOOD IS AMAZING! My friends and I got there around 12:30pm and we did not have to wait longer than 2 minutes. The coffee and water are self serve. I ordered "The basic" ($4.99) which was two eggs, homefries, and a bagel. I also ordered a side of french toast. THE HOMEFRIES ARE FANTASTIC! It's almost like mashed potatoes but with this fried top over it. DELICIOUS! French toast- also incredibly good. The nice thing is you can get a SMALL side of French toast- it's like two small pieces for $2.99. Which is perfect if you're getting something else and can't eat a huge large and expensive portion of French toast. My friend got a scone and it was HUGEEEEE and warm and absolutely delicious as well. (I tried some). Service wasn't amazing but the food made up for it and it was pretty much awesome.
(4)Rin W.
A friend brought me here for lunch. He knows I'm a fan of breakfast, so this was a perfect spot, since they serve breakfast all day! Walking in, the atmosphere is open, and intimate. I loved the idea of the self-serve coffee bar with plain old fashioned coffee as well as a couple of specialty selections, such as pumpkin spice and French Vanilla. I had the house blend to start, and french vanilla for my second cup. Both were surprisingly delicious. I love an interesting menu. Sure, I'm a fan of the classics, like eggs Benedict and a good old cheese omelet, but it always impresses me when an establishment has interesting combinations. I ate the Art, Tom, and Jack Omelet (artichoke, tomato and Monterrey jack cheese) and it was quite delicious. The star of the dish, however was the potatoes. SERIOUSLY flavorful and unique potatoes. I do believe they call them "home fries" but whatever you call it, it's delicious. If you love breakfast, give this place a look. It's a great way to start your morning...or afternoon, or whenever you happen to wake up. :)
(4)Carrie P.
I wanted to be more impressed by this place! I love brunch and everything that it entails, but I was left simply satisfied, and not amazed. The menu was great, everything I would want on a breakfast menu. The choice between sweet and savory is always a challenge with brunch, and it wasn't any different here. One of the best options, in my opinion, is a grilled muffin. Ever had one? If not, you are MISSING OUT. They are muffins that are cut in half, buttered, and then tossed on the griddle. It gives it a little crunch and a lot of delicious. The food was average brunch food, besides the grilled muffin, nothing to sing about. I got the salmon eggs benedict and remained unimpressed but dissatisfied. Best part: no wait at 11am on a Saturday. Worst part: the service. It was like pulling teeth to just get water the first time we asked.
(3)Meghan C.
It's okay. That's it. The bloody mary was okay (and very small). The eggs benedict were okay (eggs were poached well, but hollandaise was meh). The fruit was good, but how hard is it to have fresh fruit? I didn't understand the weird fried mashed potatoes--those were gross mushy blandness that should not have been on my plate! If you're craving all-day breakfast, go for it. It won't amaze your palate or anything, but it's cheap and decent and they have something for everyone.
(3)Denise M.
Loosing it's charm?? I've been here a number of times. I LOVE THE HOME FRIES!!! Ok now that that's out, I can talk about the other stuff!!! I have noticed a slightly downward trend in the quality of the food. What used to be made with love is not being slightly just handed over to you. I had the lamb dinner on St. Patrick's day, I know..I know..I'm a bad Irish girl. It was good but not amazing. I came for lunch just the other day. The chicken kabob was dry and the french fries were under cooked. The falafel was horribly over cooked. I was in for breakfast, over the winter, and was happy to savor a good omelette so maybe I just have to admit this is just a good old breakfast place. The staff are super nice every time I come in. The one thing I do notice is when they get busy they get curt. Don't take it personally.
(3)Dan C.
1) Wake up hungover on a Saturday morning. 2) Go to Soundbites. 3) Get their imfamous breakfast bowl packed to capacity with everything you could ever want/need for breakfast. 4) Get a beer/bloodymary. (Hair of the dog that bit you) 5) DON'T PANIC (read as "relax, maybe have a coffee) 6) Digest and work your way back to humanity. 7) Wait seven days. 8) Lather. 9) Rinse. 10) Repeat.
(4)Zach L.
I ventured to Sound Bites with admittedly overblown expectations. What my friends and I found was an expensive place with hugely overrated eggs Benedict. Two of the saving graces were the exceptionally fast and friendly service as well as magnificent grilled muffin. Seriously, holding back from a basket of those took some serious self-control, which is not a strong suit of mine. Go with a corn muffin or blueberry and you will leave a happy bruncher.
(3)Melissa M.
Ready? I hate going out for breakfast. Hate it. HATE IT! H8te it! The way people kinda look bothers me -- you look a scrumpaly, like you rolled outta bed, and/or slept in your clothes and didn't shower, brush your teeth, hair, etc. I also detest the smell most breakfast places have. You know, the stink of 30 years of grime and grease and eggs (I hate smell of eggs, they smell like faaahts). I hate the smell of coffee. I like the smell of fresh coffee, but most breakfast places have that old coffee smell. So, why am I, the breakfast hater giving this place five big ones? Becauuuuuse: The have a self-serve beverage area! They have booze! They have a really genuinely sweet and cute staff! They have PAPAYA in a fruit bowl! A PAPAYA!! In the middle of the most cold winter we've ever had and I am eating PAPAYA!! They serve breakfast all day. The service was fast and friendly. The prices were low low low low low low low. You don't stink like a diner when you leave! We just ate our first breakfast in Medford today. I cannot say enough good things about Sound Bites. I implore you to go try Sound Bites when you want breakfast. It's served all day, so you will be set. I do know they have long long loooooong lines on the weekends -- so remember that and get the fruit bowl and get some greek yogurt and put a little honey on it (the honey is located at the self-serve beverage area)!! SO GOOD!!! GO!
(5)Diliny C.
I have to say, I was sold the moment that I started eating my goat's cheese & pear stuffed french toast this morning. I took a small sample to see if it would be too sweet before adding maple syrup - but it was perfect. The portion was too big though, but the toast survived being refrigerated and heating up again as a dessert after lunch. It still tasted fantastic! The price is not bad at all for what you're getting and I was salivating at the fruit portions that people around me were ordering. This is a GOOD place to go for fruit salad. Big portions and excellent variety! As for the omelets.. and other portions I saw people eating and sometimes carrying off again with them - this is obviously a good place! My only concern - why use styrofoam for take away? Also, can I get a half portion (and pay half?) This place is open from 7AM! Means, if you want to beat the crowds you can just head out at 8AM. For an early riser like me, that's perfect!
(5)Karen H.
I came here for the first time last Sunday with my boyfriend. It's nestled a 10 minute walk away from the heart of Davis Sq, which was a nice change of scenary. We were both starving and ordered veggie omelettes and split a side of French Toast stuffed with peanut butter and bananas. The portions that came were quite big and we actually struggled to finish the French Toast, which was really good but sweet. In the midst of us grabbing coffee and water at the self-service stand, the owner got into a fight with someone and got his head banged up! Lots of commotion with the police and everything. Poor guy! I give this place 4 stars because we liked what we ordered and the service was fast. Even though I don't go to Davis very much at all, I think I'll be making the trip to eat here again.
(4)Sarah W.
Went on a holiday morning for brunch with a group of friends. There was a wait, but only about 10 minutes, not bad at all. It was crowded, but we were given a booth. The OJ was fresh squeezed and delicious, there were plenty of coffee options, and the menu was extensive. The food came out quickly and was tasty. We particularly liked the mashed potato hash browns, the PB & banana-stuffed french toast, and the omelettes. The server was friendly, our bill was calculated correctly, etc. All good, right? Why am I only giving three stars? Because of the way our meal ended. We were sitting at the table, lingering after the check had been signed, and were asked by a few different people if we "needed anything." Not too different from the typical "let me be extremely polite and helpful so that you have no reason not to leave" game that servers usually play. But then a woman (not our server) came by to clear the plates. After she did that, she proceeded to wipe down the table and reset the entire condiments section while we were sitting there. She wasn't friendly. She didn't smile. She didn't say excuse me-- she didn't say anything, as a matter of fact. She simply acted as if the four of us weren't there. It was so awkward that we had no choice but to leave. (By the way, it's not like we had been sitting there for twenty minutes at an empty table-- it had been less than five minutes since they'd taken the signed credit card bill.) It was incredibly rude and left a really bad taste in our mouths. I know that brunch on weekends and holidays is a busy time, and I know that tables were at a premium, but each person at that table had ordered a full meal plus beverage, and I think that should have earned us the right to linger a bit at the table. Instead, it felt like we were being told, "You ate your food, now get the hell out."
(3)Airik M.
This is by far the coolest little spot I've found in somerville
(5)Christina M.
I've been meaning to come here for years, but the morning crowds always kept me at bay. However, it's funny how coming back from vacation, coupled with an empty refrigerator and a hungry tummy, can make you way more adventurous! When my husband and I approached, it was really unclear how seating worked at this place. Unlike Ball Square Cafe, which had a neat line coming out of the door, Sound Bites had a huge crowd loitering around, and when my husband asked about the wait, we were just told to wait outside. There was no rhyme or reason to seating, but since we were a small party of 2 (unlike the large parties of 6+ waiting to be seated), and wedged our ways right next to the door, we were seated pretty quickly. Inside, service moves rather quickly, and the energy of the room is pretty intense. Big crowds translate to lots of noise, and the wait staff and servers zoom around delivering orders, keeping confused patrons waiting for a seat at bay, etc. For breakfast, I opted for the stuffed french toast with cream cheese and strawberries. Other than my initial disappointment at realizing it was more of a strawberry glaze than real strawberries, I was very happy. Their french toast is pretty amazing...perfectly sweet, crunchy, and moist at the same time. My husband ordered the waffles, covered in fresh fruit and whipped cream. We both stuffed our faces and were so happy with the final result. Going out for breakfast is a rare treat for me, but I can't wait to try this place again. Plus, maybe next time I may get more clues about how seating at this establishment actually works.
(4)Simon L.
Lunch today. Walked in around 100pm. Immediately greeted and told I can sit where ever I want. The bar it is. Silverware and menus arrive immediately. With in one minute, the owner comes over and takes my order - he asks if want want baba ganoush with my falafel plate. Yes, so he makes it a combo (Mid-east combo plate #1) that, for an additional 2 bucks, adds an extra falafel piece with the baba ganoush. The plate ends up being delicious and huge with a nice fresh salad of chopped iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions, red peppers and a house dressing, a tomato vinaigrette. Nice tahini drizzle on the falafel although the falafel itself was a bit dry and maybe fried a bit too long. I ordered the bowl of chicken soup as well and this was clearly homemade with tons of onion, carrots, celery and chicken chunks. Ordered a glass of Mano a Mano Tempranillo from Spain. I also liked this rich and deep pour and will add to my wine repertoire. First experience, like it. Having heard about the drama between this place and its' neighbor restaurant, the Ball Square Café, I look forward t comparing the two.
(4)Jessica O.
When we walked in, the restaurant was rather empty and the friendly host/server told us that we could sit anywhere. He was the nicest part of tonight's experience. The waitress, whose name I never was able to find out, was unfriendly and unhelpful. When she came to take our drink order, I asked her if they had the cherry pomegranate Nantucket Nectar as it's my favorite. I asked this question because they have Nantucket Nectar on the menu, but they don't tell you which flavors. She said that she didn't know and that I could go over to the drink case at the far end of the restaurant to check. I was rather put off as she should have told me that she didn't know and that she would find out and be right back, right? I ordered the orange juice which was listed on the menu as 14 oz. Tropicana orange juice. The friendly server brought me a 12 oz. Tropicana orange juice. I mentioned to the waitress that their menu said that it was two ounces more, but she just said that someone must have typed it wrong. For dinner, I ordered the Stuffed French Toast with Goat Cheese and Pear. This should have been freaking orgasmic. It wasn't. I love goat cheese, but I've never before seen whatever goat cheese this was. It was really grainy, the flavor didn't go at all well with the pear or the French toast, and it left a bad aftertaste in my mouth causing me to feel sick for several hours after the meal. My gf ordered the chocolate and strawberry pancakes and a side of scrambled eggs. According to her, the price for the side of eggs was really good because normally you only get one egg for that price but Sound Bites gives you two. She liked her pancakes just fine, but they were definitely not the best she's ever had. I tasted them, but all I tasted was burnt chocolate. They did bring a small plate of fresh fruit salad on the house late into the meal. I'm not sure why. It was the nice host/server who brought it over, though, and it was fine (grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, pineapple, and strawberries). There were a lot of interesting things on the menu, and I'd probably be willing to try this place again if someone else requested it, but it wouldn't be my choice. My concern is that those things would taste like the Goat Cheese & Pear Stuffed French Toast - not at all as good as they should.
(2)Sarah G.
So I have now been to Ball Square Cafe, Kelly's Diner and Soundbites--the three hot spot breakfast joints in Ball Square and I have to say that after all of the hype I've heard about this place, I don't really think it is anything special. I got their chocolate chip and coconut pancakes. Yum, right? Ya they were pretty good, and you get three of them which was more than enough for me, I definitely could not finish all three and it was only $9 which is pretty good for a place many wait HOURS to eat at. Word to the wise, if you come here on a weekday morning, there is no line, and almost every table is empty!! But for how popular this place is I was surprised that there didn't see to be an AC....They had the big front window open which was nice, but it was so humid outside I found myself almost sweating sitting there! Definitely not how you want to feel at a leisurely breakfast. My friend Sarah got their fruit bowl with granola and a side of toast and I honestly don't know how you can charge $1.20 for two pieces of bread!! That just seems crazy to me! Especially when you can get a whole loaf for $2.50 ha ha But Sarah loves this place and that was a pretty big bowl of fruit, with not as much granola as I would have liked. All in all, I would come back here to try their benedict since the coconut and chocolate distracted me this time, so perhaps an update will be in order, but this place is really just like any other breakfast spot. The owner did thank us immensely for coming in and reminded me on the way to try the benedict next time, so I guess that is next on my list!
(3)Gamal S.
Great breakfast joint! Cool for dinner too, but most of the time I've spent in Sound Bites has been for breakfast. Both my son and I dig it, and it's the only place I've ever known which will make my off-the-wall favorite breakfast without charging me an arm and a leg.
(4)Kerry S.
I visited Sound Bites this past Sunday with my best friend. We waited in the line outside of the resturant for only about five minutes before a man asked us if we would like a seat at the bar. We sat down and first noticed how large the bar area was. I then opened the menu and was overwhelmed by so many choices that all sounded wonderful. Chris, our server, greeted us with his witty banter and fabulous suggestions about the food. He served us two mimosas, which were great! I ate the pumpkin waffle..I'm obsessed with pumpkin infused food. Even though pumpkin is currently not in season, I was so delighted at having the opportunity to eat some! My waffle was AMAZING. It was hands down, the best that I've ever had! The pumpkin paired with the maple syrup was INCREDIBLE! Sound Bites has a great coffee bar as well, with again, so many choices. Clearly, I went with the Pumpkin Spice coffee! What I loved most about this restaurant wasn't the food. Although it was amazing, the service provided by its employees was even better! We had the opportunity to meet the owner, Yassar. A very funny man who came over to us to inquire about our meal - never once telling us he was the owner! I watched him deliver food to tables, take orders, and interact with everyone! Along with the owner, my best friend and I were asked by numerous people how everything was. Literally, about 5 different servers came over to talk to us - in a packed place! I loved all the teamwork! It's not everyday that you find such a gem! Next time we're in Boston, we will most definitely be visiting Sound Bites again!
(5)Allie L.
Went here on Sunday for brunch. It's got a really nice bustling vibe to it. All their food was wonderful. The omelet was cooked to perfection which I rarely see. The french toast was also quite good. The menu was a bit overwhelming but it was cool to see dishes I"d never seen before like a mozzarella and banana pancake. Was really happy here. The only thing that was not so great is that after about 20 minutes, the waitress asked if we were done when we clearly weren't. Then five minutes later, they did it again. I found that really grating like they were trying to get rid of us. There were other tables open. It wasn't like we were holding up the wait. Definitely worth going to I think for a nice brunch with friends or family.
(4)Tiff D.
Take out of Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Toast with a side of Homefries with a homemade OJ. WOW they cant even get the basics right. My bacon and egg was way undercooked. Raw runny egg and 2 slices of fatty raw bacon. yum! :-/ And I got a side of mashed potatoes? Maybe thats their "homefries"? OK, well they were bland and gross...tasted like a boxed instant mashed potato. For $10.67, I hoped Id atleast enjoyed my sandwich and "fries". I can see why Ball Sq Cafe next door has the line down the street, and this place doesnt.
(2)Damien S.
Sound Bites is an institution that, much like American Idol, one loves or can't stand. Boo AI, hooray SB! The menu offers at least a few unique items (fig stuffed french toast, challah french toast and moroccan skillets) and the food has been tasty overall. In more than 5 visits, I've always been served a complimentary fresh fruit plate - for nothing more than offering a genuine smile and maybe having an attractive woman in the party. Yeah, they're quick to grab a plate but when not in Europe, do as the not-Europeans: eat and leave. And now that they've moved to the spacious bar next door (RIP El Guapo), your claustrophobic friends can once again enjoy an eggs benny. One more thing: if management is reading, pay tribute to the Karaoke spirits that reside in 704 Broadway. They were there first.
(4)Camille R.
Breakfast options are many and the french toast, pancakes, waffles, and omlettes are yummy! Coffee and juice station in the back, help yourself. A hint of ranch dressing mixed into the mashed homefries, mmmMMmMm. On top of that, they're always busy and the waitstaff are on top of their game.
(4)Laura S.
I have had only wonderful experiences and food at Sound Bites. If i were to chose any breakfast or even lunch place in the Boston area it would be here. All the employees and especially the owner are very friendly and welcoming. They know how to treat their customers and make beyond delicious food in large proportions all for a very good price! Make sure you go often! You will never be disappointed!
(5)Deanna D.
It safe to say I've been to Sound Bites one to many times and now I know better. At first I enjoyed the place even though the food was mediocre but its close to my house and everything comes out fast--Hence the 2 stars. There's always a wait but it moves along pretty quickly. The service is fast, efficient and usually friendly. The restaurant is clean but crowded so not always comfortable. Not to mention it always feel like your being rushed. The Corned Beef Hash was mushy and flavorless. The pancakes are lackluster. The Ole Omelet is the only thing I have had that I enjoyed even though the corn muffin can sometimes be hard and/or dry. The eggs usually come out good but that not a big achievement for a breakfast place. The "no place like home fries" are basically mashed potatoes that have been placed on the griddle--Some people like it--I don't. The prices are not cheap and the quality and flavor is just not there. Ball Square and Renee's Cafe are definitely better choices if your in the area.
(2)Jennifer L.
My eggs weren't cooked as I requested (over-easy with cheese), but instead were hard and microwaved - and no cheese. However, the potatoes were really mashed, so I loved them. You have to get your own drinks, which was difficult since I couldn't find anything except coffee. Staff were very nice, but would have been nicer if they hadn't nuked my eggs.
(2)Colleen M.
There are a lot of weird things about this place, but honestly, the food at Sound Bites is disgusting. Last time I went, I got some kind of combo breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, and a pancake. Pretty hard to screw up, right? Their eggs looked like they've been sitting around all morning in whatever nasty, cheap oil they fry them in. I actually spotted the woman next to me wiping her eggs off with a napkin (no joke). The sausage had the texture of a hockey puck. The pancakes were chewy and dense, and were no better when drenched in their fake maple syrup. It is shocking to me that people line up down the block to get into this place every weekend. My boyfriend got some Moroccan egg dish, which was basically a pile of roughly chopped, undercooked greasy vegetables with eggs on top. The runny egg yolks ended up mixing with the residual grease at the bottom of the dish from the vegetables, creating an oily mess. Hey, at least the eggs were runny I guess! To top things off, the service is pushy and not at all personal. We had about four different servers throughout the course of our short meal, sometimes not even knowing that someone else had already been helping us. Sound Bites also requires that you get up and serve your own coffee and water. I'm baffled by this and don't know how it benefits anyone. Seriously, just head to Posto or Highland kitchen for a relaxing, delicious brunch.
(1)SunKissed G.
Breakfast today... Service with a warm, friendly smile was great. Eggs were good. Coffee was blah. Hashed browns were so salty that we couldn't eat them. Both of our scones were far too moist in the middle. This place must known for their lunch menu.
(2)Kara Z.
The first thing I wanted to do on my birthday this year was breakfast at Sound Bites. I haven't been here in years and the grilled blueberry muffin and multigrain waffle with fruit and whipped deliciousness were seriously calling my name. I fantasize sometimes about driving all the way to Ball Square on the weekends for brunch but the lines that I have dealt with in the past keep me from making it a reality. Although now that they have expanded I should think about indulging a little.
(4)Celia H.
I've been coming here since it opened. The food is always really delicious (ok I admit I often get the same thing 'cause I just love it), the staff is friendly, and the coffee choices are fun. My wife (or whoever else I go with) and I typically split a basil, scallion, tomato, jack cheese omelet that comes with their version of home fries and a bagel; it's a lot of food! We also love the fruit bowl which is crammed (and I mean crammed) with fresh fruit that ends up feeding us for two meals. We tend to try to go at off times. Yes it's very busy on weekends and I've admired those hardy souls who wait in line outside in the bitter cold! My secret is calling ahead to order the breakfast I'm craving and then bring it home 10 minutes later to enjoy in peace. Re-toast the bagel, warm up the omelet a tad and voila, a wonderful breakfast with no fuss and no dishes to wash.
(5)Meka A.
Good breakfast places can be hard to find in Boston. Sound Bites is a solid diner breakfast style choice if you want good food at affordable prices. There isn't a single dish that is a homerun but everything is really good. Sound Bites does distinguish itself as it has a large self serve coffee and tea bar with a large selection. I tend to go every few months when I'm looking for a quick bite at a good price. As I said, nothing too special about the establishment, but it still makes it into my rotation. Try the breakfast bowls smorgosboard with hash browns, eggs, cheese, etc.
(3)Linda C.
This place is horrible. If all you want are eggs, then this place is for you, but DO NOT get anything else or you WILL be disappointed!! The place was DEAD EMPTY when we went. That should have been a warning! Their middle eastern food is made for people who don't know what middle eastern food is supposed to really taste like. They take advantage of idiots. Don''t be an idiot and waste a dime here.
(1)Michael T.
Excellent weekend brunch, extensive menu, served at least until 3pm. Coffee non-alcoholic drinks are self-serve, which is fine if you know to expect it. Everybody's plate was well-prepared, large-portioned and looked delicious. I enjoyed a breakfast platter as well as an order of butter pecan pancakes. Out of this world. Only significant issue to note would be a funky smell in their cups, probably from not using enough soap, or the wrong type of dish washing detergent. Nothing appeared dirty. I'll still be back for another great brunch!
(4)Austin R.
Went on a Sunday morning and got the Boston blue. The food was pretty ho-hum but I will say their version of home fries is interesting and tasty. The muffin didn't have much flavor, nor did the omelet though. Everything was lukewarm when it came out and got cold pretty quickly. I also tried my friend's cream cheese stuffed French toast which was good but not mind blowing. The service was pretty good and didn't feel especially rushed which I liked. Overall a very average experience.
(3)Te R.
the line was long but it went fast. the wait was only less than 10 minutes for us (two). we tried the moroccan eggs. tasteless. soaked in oil. we applied a generous amount of salt and that sortof rescued the dish. but not really. the runny egg yolks merged with the pool of butter/oil did not make a good texture or taste... and stuffed french toast with ricotta and strawberry. great idea. nicely executed. and ... you have to get your own water. where is this? dining hall? the service was efficient enough though overall. but i'm sad to say that this place is a little overhyped... i looked at the food on other tables. they don't look very inventive or particularly pleasing. but less than (yelp doesn't allow the less-than sign? really?) 10 minutes wait for brunch. you can't beat that.
(3)Kandi A.
This place knows how to slay an ultimate breakfast. If you can make it here on a weekend before 9am- you'll get it quicker. But if you had a crazy, all night party to attend and you can't roll in until after that- expect a little wait. It's well worth it. The food is glorious and the unlimited supply of coffee will help you get through the morning hang over.
(5)L F.
My friend and I stopped by Sound Bites for drinks after grabbing dinner across the street at Yak and Yeti. I didn't have any particular problem with the service or the wine we drank. My only complaint is that the drink menu they gave didn't list prices--kind of annoying--although what we were charged was fairly reasonable for two huge glasses of wine ($8 a glass). i would recommend Sound Bites to anyone wanting a low-key place to grab a quick drink and watch the game.
(3)Jess L.
I lived in Cambridge for a year and always meant to come here. When I was finally able to come this past weekend, I knew the wait was worth it - but, at the same time, I asked myself, "Why did I wait so long?" It's like a divebar for brunch. The service is fast. The spaces is a big grungy - not dirty but not too much focused on decor. It's a very down to earth place. I had an amazing omelette, probably one of the best I've ever had. Arthur's Favorite includes eggplant, onions, peppers, and cheese (for an extra $1). The egg was scrumptious and fluffy. They didn't skimp on the insides, which I also appreciate. A lot of people gush about the potatoes, which are very unique: fluffiness between two crunchy layers. Garlicky, perhaps? Very good. And a good portion size. The hand-squeezed OJ is a bit expensive, but there are a lot of other [self-serve] beverage options. I always complained about the lack of good brunch options in the area, and only after having moved away did I find it at Sound Bites!
(5)S C.
Great for breakfast food.....not for much else. I live across the street from Sound Bites so i might say I am "forced" to frequent. I continuously get let down by any meal except breakfast. BUT for breakfast food, even for dinner, you will be blown away. The hashbrowns are amazing.....like a little piece of mashed potato heaven on earth.
(3)Adrienne N.
Love this place! We stop here for breakfast almost everyday in the summer. The food is delicious and we are always treated well!
(5)Irina D.
Disclaimer: I am not a brunch person at all, yet get "dragged" to brunch places whenever I hang out with my cousins. In this case I was visiting my cousin who goes to Tufts, with her sister and friend, and she took us here. This place is quite large and gets really busy during brunch time, usually there is a line to get in there but we happened to come late enough and avoided it. The breakfast menu is quite large and the prices, relative to other brunch places I have eaten at, are not bad at all. After long consideration I have ordered the Triple Berry Cakes . It sounded so good however tasted pretty bland once I got to try it. I also got the "No place like home fries" and wow although it was more like mashed potatoes than home fries, they were quite amazing. And I mean amazing enough for me to look at my companion's plates to see whether they were going to finish their portion of these amazing home fries, or if I was going to have the pleasure of tasting it again.... Another thing that might be important to mention, is that you get all your drinks by yourself, whether its water, tea, juice or coffee, there is an area there which has them all and you make it however you like it. I dont remember the service being either really good or really bad, so that must mean it was just ok. In general I liked this place and would come back here if I was in the area. P.S.- I didn't mention the crazy fight we unfortunately got to witness at this place, if you are interested PM me and I will elaborate.
(4)Denise F.
My boyfriend lives right around the corner from this place. We always passed this place and was like oooh we should go. We finally did and very happy! We went on Saturday at 1pm and got to sit at the bar. No waiting! My boyfriend got the crab meat bene. It was perfect! So good! I had the almond french toast with seasonal fruit. My french toast was covered with delicious fruit but my fav is the kiwi and guava in the dead of winter! The self serving drinks was really great except I kept getting up to get more hot water because I love their peppermint tea. I would recommend this place to anyone and will be coming back. I am just sad I didn't start coming here earlier. The service was good. They were quick to take my order, my food came out really fast and they cleared my plate when I was done.
(4)Tracy C.
Soundbites is a no frills place, which is the type of place I prefer. I don't like people bugging me, I just like to order, get my food and have the server check in once or twice and call it good. So if you like this type of service, you'll like Soundbites. I'm a vegetarian and they have a nice variety of veggie options. Their veggie sausage is hands down the best I've ever had. If you're a vegetarian, you know its hard to find a good, 'fake' sausage. Yasser has been nothing but nice to me and my husband, so as long as his good service and that of his waitstaff continues, I'll continue to go (and get the veggie sausage).
(4)Tim N.
Sound Bites has always been a Sunday brunch mainstay for Tufts students, and although I only braved the long lines once during my time at Tufts, I was certainly well aware of their food and the unconditional love that Somerville has for this eating establishment. That's why it was pretty cool to come back to Sound Bites recently, during a brief visit to the east coast and my former stomping ground. Sound Bites has since doubled in size and added a pretty amazing bar to their interior space. It looks like it's a full service, morning/noon/night type place now. This impressed me. Food certainly hasn't changed from my days at Tufts. A broad menu of tasty, high quality breakfast dishes still lives here. I of course went with the sweet peppered corned beef hash. Although the corned beef didn't taste as fresh as I thought it might, the whole dish still worked quite well and filled me up. Top it off with a coffee and orange juice and I was ready to conquer the day. I like the New and Improved Sound Bites. Looks like it's still a place that Tufts students frequent, and I don't blame them one bit.
(4)JJ D.
OMG! I just had the best food experience of this holiday season. My partner and I split the waffle and fruit [my favorite] and the eggs Benedict with asparagus and prosciutto. The eggs Benedict were unbelievable. The explosion of flavors in my mouth seemed to be carefully orchestrated by the food gods. Sound Bites has the best food in Somerville.
(5)Lou G.
First off we were pleasantly surprised when, after having called in about the length of their wait, the gentleman on the phone told me just to ask for him and he would get us to the front of the line. We figured at around 1:30 in the afternoon we'd miss most of the enormous line that forms up and down the sidewalk, but still with a 16 month old in tow we wanted to make sure we wouldn't spend more time outside than inside and I'm sure that this is what influenced him to hook us up with a quick seat. I don't mean to undermine the loads of other people that bear the sometimes nasty conditions waiting to get a seat, but I'm sure they extend this type of friendly service to lots of others, regulars and newcomers. And the attentive service doesn't stop there. With such a busy crowd to keep up with, we were still approached by at least 4 different staff members more than once during the course of our meal to make sure we were being taken care of and that we were happy with our meal. I'm never really impressed with service as it seems most of the places I visit are par on the service bit, but this one definitely showed to be a birdy, or eagle, whichever one is better (I'm not much for golfing but you get the point) And there was lots of meal too. The fruit basket that came out first was very diverse and fresh, and kept the little guy busy and satisfied from start to finish. I ordered a mexican omelette with ham, which was bursting out the sides, but I was still able to enjoy their slightly mashed and tasty take on home fries, as well as the bagel that came with the dish. My girlfriend enjoyed he breakfast bowl which was an enormous concoction of eggs cheese meat I think and homefries hidden at the bottom. She ended up taking probably half of it home - she didn't even stand a chance. But there was also the toast, french toast and sausage we also ordered in case the little guy didn't enjoy everything else he had in front of him. And we got to fill ourselves up and have breakfast for the next couple days all for a little less than $44. I know that sounds like a lot for a late breakfast, but if it were just the two of us I'm sure it wouldn't have been a dime over 25 or 30 bucks, which is still incredible deal for such quality in food and service. I could go on and on but I'll just say one visit will turn you into a regular!
(5)Jenifer W.
My family and I visited here on advice of our college-age daughter... apparently all the locals know this place, and visit frequently.... now we know why. REALLY unique food options - things you might never think to pair yourself (I had an asparagus, tomato, and cheese omelet that would knock your socks off), and they're made with incredibly fresh ingredients and by someone who knows what they're doing! If you anywhere near this cafe, you have to give it a try... they have something for everyone, and you'll be VERY happy you did.
(4)Sean B.
Long before everyone began traveling to Yelp to find out what Sociology and Religious Studies majors do with their (loads of) free time, you heard about the truly great restaurants by word of mouth. Having not frequented Sound Bites since I was a Tufts student, I was praying it would still live up to the hype. Survey says, the mile long walk in the snow was worth it - and I absolutely needed the mile-long walk back home afterward. My grilfriend and I were seated instantly - Sound Bites can be notorious for long lines, so this was a pleasant surprise. I still would have been ok with waiting for 15-20 minutes like most of the people who arrived after us, but this was a bonus. We ordered our food, and I think received it in what may be the quickest turn-around I've ever had at a breakfast place. I wish I timed it. TIP: If you are like me and like having the full spread of eggs/toast/homefries/AND pancakes with your meal, you can order a side of TWO BIG pancakes for close to $3. The normal 3-pancake meals are in the $7-9 range, so this is a good thing to know. Contrary to many reviews that say Sound Bites pushes patrons out the door as their dressing themselves, we were not pushed, and remained at our table for a few minutes despite there being several parties waiting to be seated. Honestly though, what kind of business would it be if they didn't care about getting as many people in the door as possible? I hope it's ok with some folks that the waiters don't offer to wipe your mouth with a napkin, or cut the edges off your 5-year old's toast - but this is Yelp, so someone will probably express their frustration by writing about (and feel like, but not actually getting paid for doing) it. SOUND BITES IS DELISH. Get there early!
(5)Donald N.
I have been here so many times that the staff greets me when I come. The food is far less greasy than typical diner fare. I love the Mediterranean slant on many of the dishes. Even though I have moved further away, I still make a point to come back, they are worth the trip.yh
(5)Kristen C.
So good! Home fries are amazing :)
(4)Jon W.
I waited in line for this? Sorry but there's much better places for brunch than this overrated, underwhelming, bloated joint. The food was okay, it wasn't very impressive and they kick you out. Whatever.
(1)Nancy M.
The line that forms on the street to get in should be a sign of what people will do on a weekend morning to have breakfast here. We had a mix-up with our order but the staff apologized many times and made it up to us. The breakfast was excellent. The homefries...which are more like pan seared garlic mashed potatoes were amazing. Coffee is self-serve AND they have to-go cups. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Espresso T.
Large portions, decent quality, and good coffee (much better coffee than at a lot of breakfast places!). The home fries were good. The french toast was fine but I was not wowed. The pancakes looked good as well.
(3)Rebecca S.
The blueberry pancakes were divine! The eggs bene was delish! I really enjoyed the drink bar too, it was so original! We were seated promptly even on a Saturday morning with the crowds. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)Stacy-Michelle R.
Since writing this review I have received two emails from the owner of the place. The first one, three months ago, was telling me that I did not hear what I thought I heard (even though it was a plain conversation directly in front of my table), and then (in the same email) giving me two different excuses as to why he was having that conversation. Seriously? The second email was written a couple days ago in what sounds like a drunken ramble - a full three months after the incident happened. The best part about this email? HE ACTED AS IF HE WAS A CUSTOMER COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW MEAN I AM TO THE OWNER. He told me that my review was "stuppid," telling me how rude I am, and telling me "good luck in your life the way you judging ,," Um...isn't this the point of this website? To judge places? And to pretend you're another customer after you already wrote me? Just plain stupid. Grow up. You went from someplace I was willing to give a chance to to someplace I'm disgusted with. (Email #3 sent after this review was posted today! For the record, I made one request, other than that I sat there reading a magazine!) "Hi Stacy-Michelle, yasser m. has sent you a message on Yelp: RE: your review "first,i didn't hide my self,i wroted under my name, i think you are a sick person trying to hurt peoples feeling,after i was very nice to you,to me you are acting like a jackass ,YOUR REVIEW IS VERY STUPID,,, i remebered you very well,you been a pain in the ass,the minut you order,till you left acting very strang,, be nice,,life is not worst being a JACKASS GOOD LUCK""
(1)D P.
People feel very strongly about brunch in Ball Square; the divide between Sound Bites (the original) and Ball Square Cafe (the usurper) approaches religious intensity. Me, I'm a Sound Bites girl, and I want to give it its fair due. Yes, it's crowded and crazy at peak brunch hours. if that's a turn-off, come at an off time. I've never had a problem with service, but even if I were to get bitched at by a cranky waiter, I'd still come back for the food. No, not everything on the menu is perfect, but is it anywhere? the grilled muffins, the fabulous grilled-mashed-potato "homefries," the many iterations of French toast stuffed with anything from banana and nutella to caramelized pears and goat cheese (personal favorite), and the very reasonable prices - that's why this place has won my undying loyalty. if you don't like it, then that's fine by me - I'll eat your home fries for you and savor every bite.
(4)Frank W.
Bottom line: Darn good food, reasonable prices, unlimited coffee. All of these things are pluses. Lines, a little too much greese, and sub-par pancakes take it down a peg. Overall a win for Somerville. Sound Bites and Ball Sq Cafe have an eternal rivalry that will never be fixed. Here's why: they serve the same damn stuff, at the same damn time, for about the same damn price. The only thing that I personally think is an advantage (to Ball Sq) is the owner is much more personable, and might even give you some hot chocolate while you're waiting in line (thanks very much, sir). Back to Sound Bites, I haven't had too much of a problem getting seated here, at most i've waited 15 minutes on a Sunday. Not too bad. The self-service coffee means I don't have to deal with someone's heavy hand, and all told it's a fairly good value. I caffeinate up for the day, the coffee tastes good, and it only runs me about $2. Score 1 for Frank. I usually am a Savory type of fellow for breakfast, with eggs being my main staple. So obviously i've had a lot of their omelettes. They're happy to make it the way I want (egg whites if i'm feeling healthy, add bacon if i'm not) and they smile. The thing about both restaurants is that they are so busy, they will actively try to move you along. So be careful how fast (or slow) you eat. My omelettes have a little too much diner greese for my liking, and the pancakes left some to be desired (a little dry, not a great consistency, you can tell it was from a mix), but the food always comes out in good time. And there's always too much of it. Thank god all of my friends can pack it away so I can push some food on them. If you're looking to get charged for a day, this is a great place to go that won't set you back much. However, if you're in the Teele Sq area, GO TO RENEES INSTEAD. *Shameless plug*
(4)Holly O.
I wouldnt even give this place one star if it wasn't for the fact that the big breakfast bowl is pretty good. Other than that I really hate this place and it's neighbor, the Ball Square Cafe. I don't understand how people can even say they like these places when you have Kelley's Diner right down the street which is the best Diner Breakfast around. You walk in and one person seats you, another person takes your order but they don't get you drinks!!! You have to do that all yourself which I'm sorry is not what I want to be doing when I go out to eat. Then yet another different person brings you the food and finally another person brings your the check. So who the hell are you supposed to tip?? The people that work there are CONSTANTLY walking around, hovering over your table to see how much longer your going to be and its extremely annoying. It seems like they are bored because they have nothing to do since everyone is getting their own drinks for themselves and no one really has their own tables. The whole system just seems completely ass backwards to me and it's probably a way for the owners to scheme less money out of the servers while also screwing over the patrons who are tipping out to people who aren't even really serving anyone. If you don't mind having bad service then by all means try it out, but the food isn't anything to write home about. Like I said though in my opinioin Kelley's Diner is the place to go.... The women who work there are hilarious, they constantly refill your coffee, and it's hands down the best breakfast you can get in Somerville (besides maybe the Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Square).
(1)Dan N.
Sound bites is one of, if not the best brunch place around. Think how I met your mother (brunch place with yellow walls. Come on people!) environment, with awesome food, hilarious staff when you start actually talking and getting to know them, and once they start to recognize you -may or may not have been the last 4 weekends in a row...- they take care of you. A few dishes that are absolutely KILLER: the whole wheat waffles with seasonal fruit aka a giant waffle piled high with a mountain of fresh fruit and garnished with whipped cream. Goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast-just get it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Any of the pancakes but especially the mango banana. Also, haven't had one yet personally but many friends love the omelets which are gigantic. OH And there's a full bar. Brunch+bar+good friends=Tradion to repeat time after time.
(5)Stephanie C.
CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT!! They charged me $3 more in tip!! So bring cash. Food's good, service isn't. Don't go when you want to relax...you're always going to be in someone's way here. Need a water? "Go and get it"! Help yourself to the cooler!
(1)Karen B.
THis place is the best for breakfast, if you like omelets, french toast, Eggs benedict...they have excellent varieties. For example I had an Ole Omlete w/ black beans, cheese, salsa, sour creme, and onions in it. Yum! My boyfriend got a carmelized apple, cranberry and goat cheese stuffed french toast....amazing. All you can drink coffee, tea and a full bar for bloody marys or mimosas. Just go there you wont regret.
(4)Meagan F.
Oh Sound Bites... how I adore thee. We're pretty much here every other Sunday for brunch, but I can't seem to stop myself from ordering the same thing every time: Pear and goat cheese stuffed french toast. ARE YOU KIDDING???? It's seriously a pain in the rear to get in on a Sunday for brunch, as you have to wait in line outside, but every restaurant that consistently has a line in front of it all day on the weekends is a definite hit for me. As many other Yelpers have mentioned, the serve yourself coffee bar is terrific! I'm a flavor-in-my-coffee-lovin'-kinda-gal, so with their nearly ten different flavors of coffee, how can you go wrong! Brunch isn't the only time this place is hoppin', however, as they serve breakfast all day and night alongside a full bar and a relaxed atmosphere. Bottom line: Delicious food, every time. Go Here.
(5)James R.
Sounds Bites is delicious food served quickly to make hungry people happy. I've been there dozens of times with hundreds of people and not a complaint from anyone except "I'm so full." The place isn't perfect, but they do offer a lot of creative meals. Last time I was there was during Hurricane Irene. The staff did a great job of making sure no one had to stand outside during these harsh conditions. I've read complaints on here about the staff being pushy and rushing people out of the restaurant... Seriously.... aren't 90% of bad reviews on having slow service... now this place is too fast? Go have your Joyluck Club/ Sex & the City Sunday morning complain-fest elsewhere. There is a line of people outside trying to eat.
(4)Michelle C.
Service is the big problem at this place. Just about every waiter/ waitress in the restaurant is somewhat involved in each party. This system is set up so that you can not ask questions because no one waiter/ waitress knows anything about your meal. Food sometimes comes out fast but never together for your party even when it's a party of 2. If you don't mind terrible service, their breakfast is yummy but predictable.
(2)Rico S.
Good place. Probably one of the most well known breakfast places in the area, considering if you tell anyone around that you live in Ball Square they bring this place up first as reference. A little notorious also, considering the history of how one of the founders helped open up the competing place next door apparently. Usually a decent line to get in on weekends and holidays weekdays. Serve yourself coffee station. Reasonable prices for breakfast. Have a good lunch and dinner menu, too. More of a complete restaurant than just a breakfast place. Especially seeing as the U shaped bar takes up half of the place. Which brings up a huge deal breaker for some: this place serves alcohol. You can get bloodies and mimosas unlike next door at Ball Square Cafe. The food is above average for breakfast offerings. Has a nice European flair to it. In the summer they open the street side windows and have tables outside. Unfortunately Somerville doesn't allow drinking outside so you need to be inside while drinking. Tables outside are awkward when there's a line, too, and people watch you eat as you watch them wait. Definitely lives up to the billing that comes with it
(4)EricaLynn J.
I have to admit: I was terrified to pop my Sound Bites cherry last Saturday morning. I don't do well with waiting in long lines outside (especially in colder weather), crowded once inside, 'hurry up' servers, and from some reviews, what seemed to be a half "DIY" menu. I gingerly approached Sound Bites, and my friends immediately got us a table. Sometimes it pays to have no sense of direction and get completely lost, you see. I didn't even have time to survey the place more than a split second to see if I spotted the so-called 'soup Nazi owner' so I knew whom I should not accidentally anger, as when I was hurriedly seated (table next to the kitchen), a man ran up to me and complimented my hair. "I'm Yassir. I own this place. And your hair, I just love it." I think the collective stunned silence of my four friends and me was enough to scare the eggs benedict off of some guy's plate twenty tables away. "My hair? I just rolled out of bed." Yassir flashes another great smile and is most likely the happiest, most animated person in the entire restaurant at this point. His voice lowers and he motions to me as if he was about to tell me a secret. "You see," he said coyly, "that's what's wrong with people these days. People just don't let go." Let me tell you, Yassir and his crew took very good care of us. The portions were huge - larger than necessary, really - and the self-serve coffee and juice and drinks was actually more convenient than anything. It was fabulous not to have to constantly hassle the waitstaff to bring refills, etc. My french toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream was delicious and there was absolutely nothing left on my plate when I left. My friends got various egg dishes and everyone seemed to enjoy them, though the general consensus was that there was *so* much going on in the dishes that it was almost hard to eat at times. Yassir was a joy; he returned to our table often to see how we were (and maybe to check out my hair?) and it felt as if he had opened up his home to us for the hour we were there. I walked in to Sound Bites with some preconceived notions, and I'm happy that I was completely wrong about all of 'em. Great eats, quality food, good and at times hilarious service, not too hard on the wallet, a little crowded but it's no wonder why! Sound Bites is the real deal - don't be scared!
(4)Logan J.
okay, im not sure why this doesnt have a higher rating...maybe people have had less than positive experiences here, but im in love with this place. this is one of my favorite brunch places in the boston area and the only reason i dont go every weekend is because i leave here feeling too full! the service here is usually pretty quick and pretty friendly. it has a diner type feel to it, but i think the food is much better than the typical diner. i like that you can get up and get your own coffee from the hanging mugs, and they have so many different choices for brunch. i also love that you can substitute corn bread muffins (which they slice in half and grill!) for toast. i would definitely recommend this place to any friends for a casual brunch place on the weekends. it can get a little crazy sometimes with its location so close to tufts, but its worth the wait.
(5)Terry C.
My friend and I came after 1:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait. The place is bigger than I had imagined but the tables are too close for comfort. I could have reached over to my neighbor's table to steal a piece of toast. The coffee station is self-served (dine-in or take-out). But it was not written on the menu... We ordered a smoked salmon Benedict, crab-meat Benedict, a side of turkey sausage and a side of french toast. The Benedicts were delicious. It is served with a side of potatoes. The potatoes are unlike other breakfast place - they're mashed/hashed! Everything was really good with the exception of the turkey sausage; it was Meh. A side of fruit platter is served on-the-house which was surprising as most places charge about $4.99 for a fruit plate. I would definitely come back to try other breakfast items. They have stuffed french toast...HmMMmMMmmMm
(4)Ali W.
O. M. G. Is this heaven? Happiness, my friends.. is easily calculated. Self Serve Gourmet Coffee Bar + Cajun Mashed Potato Home fries + Thick-Cut Tomato and Avocado Eggs Benedict (cooked PERFECTLY) + Side of Turkey Bacon + Splash of Ketchup = THE BEST BREAKFAST EVER! The staff doesn't rush you.. the booth-style tables are super comfortable.. the bar area and bathrooms are clean and cute.. and I love love love that they serve breakfast food ALL DAY, and on the weekdays too! PS - As many people have pointed out, definitely be prepared to wait awhile on a weekend morning for a table.. this place gets pretty jam-packed. I went on a Tuesday morning after the gym, and it was great. But seriously, the food is really worth it, and the value is wonderful.
(5)Caitlin G.
Great place overall! We had a large party and they were very accommodating to all of us. Our food came out speedily and everything was consistently yummy. I ordered the Eggs Bene with tomato and avocado (hold the sauce) and it was wonderful. The avocado was nicely ripened and the eggs were poached to perfection, which is a very hard thing to do. I'd have to say that the shining star of our breakfast was the fruit bowl that we got to share. It was a huge helping of the freshest fruits on the market, talk about freshly prepared! I don't think I've ever had a more delicious fruit bowl. You could tell that they had just cut up everything and that it hadn't been sitting around for a while. I think my favorite feature was the DIY coffee bar, where you just grab a mug and help yourself to whatever coffee you'd like and fix it to your liking. There's free refills, and you can grab a cup to go! Brilliant. The vibe in Sound Bites was very cool as well, cheerful and upbeat, yet relaxed and chill at the same time. I'll definitely be back!
(4)KJ F.
* This review is written by an experienced server, hostess, caterer, and trainer in the food industry. As such, I am willing to forgive many things when dining out - I've been there and I know how tough the industry is. It takes a lot for me to publicly dish out a negative review. Prior to writing this, my fellow diner did attempt to give constructive feedback to the hostess at the establishment directly and was told rudely "it is what it is, honey". So if that's how it is, I'm going to let people know. DO NOT GO TO SOUND BITES if you are hoping to enjoy your meal and have an uninterrupted, unhurried conversation with friends. It is clear that moving customers in and out quickly to maximize earnings is more important to the establishment than providing a quality experience. The food was delicious, and service was efficient. Too efficient. We received our food quickly, but we were only halfway finished with our meal before they began to push us out of our booth. We probably spent 45 minutes total at this place, and the last 30 were spent struggling to enjoy our coffee and conversation. At first it seemed the employees were just intent on cleaning away plates and getting us our to-gos and check in a timely fashion. However, once all the dishes were cleared, a different employee interrupted us every 3 minutes either to clean the table, ask if we wanted a bag for our to-go containers, to remind us the check was sitting on the table, or to give a "friendly reminder" that coffee could be taken to-go. The last straw was when our server came over to indirectly suggest for a third time that we take our coffee to go. My friend: " Oh, do you need us to leave?" Server: " Well, we have a line out the door." Me: " Ok, well, we were just going to finish our coffee." Server: " Oh! Of course, take your time." (Right, which is why you've asked us three times in 10 minutes) We were fed up by this point, and left the table. I looked outside to see two couples waiting. Um....yeah.... The irony is, had we been left alone we would have finished our coffee and conversation much more quickly and been on our way.
(1)Haley T.
First of all, I would like to mention that the fruit bowls are the size of your HEAD. No, seriously, a fruit bowl is not a side here. It's practically dinner. Great selection of delicious, fresh fruit. Unfortunately for me, the vegan options are either the fruit bowl and hummus plate (similarly delicious). But my carnivorous boyfriend worships the corned beef hash here, the coffee is self-serve with plenty of options in variety and milk (and soy!) and the table service is both friendly and quick. Highly recommended for a weekend breakfast or brunch-though you may have to wait a bit for a table.
(5)Face D.
Bleeblahblergh. That's how I feel about Sound Bites. I went after my birthday weekend was winding down and didn't have to wait in line this time. I was a bit nervous to step inside this place since the last 2 times I was there the same server with the stupid blow-out (dude, c'mon) bumped into me twice, really hard, with no apology. Once spilling my coffee onto myself, and the other just knocking into me so hard. He then looked at me as if it was my fault... when clearly he wasn't looking where he was going. I get it, it gets busy, you need to run to your tables, just look at where you're going... I mean, twice?! Really dude? Take out some of that hair gel and maybe it'll stop mixing with your sweat and leaking into your eyes. The owner gets you seated pretty fast, and the meal is good, it's just that you feel rushed during the whole time. I'll probably try out Kelly's or The Ball Square Cafe next time.
(2)Lauren M.
Had a weird and rushed breakfast experience at this joint. By the time I was back from pouring my own coffee (self serve drinks- kinda fun!) the waiter was parked at my table taking food orders so I didn't get a real chance to review the menu. Our meals came out super speedy which was nice. The food was fine- everything on my plate was average except for the fried mashed potatoes served as home fries which were delicious! What turned me off was how the waiters and waitresses (we had five different servers- I think they were a tad over-staffed) gave us our bill half way through the meal and swarmed us like hawks until we paid. Never before have I been forced to pay half way through a meal! They kept closing in and took away our plates as rapidly as they could. They patrolled by every .05 seconds to try and clean our table. Then a guy who looked like a manager came over to make sure we had already paid our bill. Jeeeze, they would have dragged us out if they could of. My table of six was in and out in less than 30 minutes. So much for catch up brunch with the girls- I didn't even finish my coffee! Ball Square Cafe next time for sure.
(2)Alexandre S.
I'm amazed at the negative reviews this place is getting! I'm there all the time and I've never been left dissatisfied. The service is effective and friendly without being overbearing, and I like that I'm welcome to grab a drink or a coffee while I'm waiting to be seated. The food is reliably cooked to my taste, the menue is extensive-- even for a gluten-free vegetarian like me, and while they do cover all the basics, a lot of what their menue offers in uniquely Sound Bites. I'm not big on reviews, but this is hands down my favorite "casual dining" place in Somerville, and it just doesn't deserve the scorn of the squeaky wheels on Yelp.
(5)Elizabeth D.
I have dreams about their multigrain waffles topped with fresh fruit. I wish I could order something else to try something different, but (for me) it's just one of those things that when you eat it, you fall in love and can't imagine not having it when it's right there. Also, their grilled corn muffins are the bomb, and the coffee bar with different flavors is a real treat. This place is absolutely delicious and totally worth the wait. Service is fast and friendly too.
(5)Eloni F.
Sound Bites is a natural place to fall in love with for brunch/breakfast. They serve breakfast all day and their home-fries (which are pan friend mashed potato type magic) are simply wonderful. I like their omelettes which are pretty much perfect and they sometimes offer pancake variations that are fun. They almost always offer free fruit just to be nice either at the beginning of a meal or at the end. I like that you can get your own OJ or coffee instead of having to wait for a waiter and it is wonderful that they also have a full bar. Brunch is enhanced by the addition of a mimosa or bloody mary. I have been to the next door Ball Square Cafe that served me a less than ideal meal. I have not felt the same about Sound Bites... The one star I took away is that their lunch options are not great. Ohwell... I can always keep having breakfast.
(4)Mark S.
I take pride in my breakfast, and Ive been across the country and back. Sound Bites is 2nd to none. It truly doesn't get any better. My last visit included a Lobster Benedict that blew my dome. For 10 years Ive tried to find something around the country that can even come close. There is nothing that beats this place /end thread
(5)Kate T.
If you can avoid coming here on a weekend, do it. Otherwise, prepare to wait outside in a line for upwards of 20 minutes. After waiting all that time for a table this past Sunday the service was pretty subpar. I understand they're trying to get people in and out, but our waiter didn't even greet us. The food is basic. The wait is long. Save your time and money and head across the street to True Grounds.
(2)Megan B.
Great food! I was very excited that Sound Bites was open on the snowiest day of the year...we had a certified blizzard outside, but warm yummy breakfast inside at Sound Bites. You'll wait in line during a Sat/Sun, but it's worth the wait!
(4)chelle h.
Stuffed fig french toast, veggie sausage, insanely good home fries and the chance to make your own perfect cup of coffee. Yes, yes, yes, and yes. This is my idea of brunch heaven. Minus a star for the lame seating arrangements. You have to listen to the next table's conversation whether you like it or not.
(4)Mickey M.
I'd heard so many good things about Sound Bites since they took over the space previously occupied by El Guapo's. I went there this past weekend, and was a little disappointed. The place was bumpin' and we didn't have to wait a long time; so that's a good thing. They have a self-serve coffee station, so that too is a good thing. You're able to grab your own drinks, so that's great as well. The service was quick. We didn't feel pushed, but we were in and out within 30 minutes. They're fast-paced, so you may want to expect it. The food was the disappointment. I'd like to check it out when it's less crowded, and give it a follow-up review; but for right now, the hype doesn't match the product. I'm a picky breakfast guy, so that should be considered too. =)
(3)Corinna W.
I live about 35-40 minutes away and I still make it a point to go to Sound Bites as often as I can. It's really that good. The food is delicious, the menu is diverse. I'm one of those people who finds a dish and sticks to it, but the menu at Sound Bites is so eclectic and interesting that I've been able to make it a point not to pick the same thing twice. I've never had a meal I didn't like, and the one time I thought something was average, I ordered something I normally wouldn't eat anyway and it still wasn't bad. It's usually pretty busy when I go, and the service isn't attentive, but that's not a bad thing. I prefer not to be bothered when I'm eating anyway. And if the long line deters you, it moves pretty quickly. When it gets busy they're pretty good about getting people in and out as fast as they can, but not rushing anyone who's eating. And I've heard plenty of bad things about the owner but every encounter I've had with him he's been a pretty nice guy. My boyfriend and I went for a late breakfast on a Sunday (around 3 pm), not realizing they close early on Sundays, and he felt so bad he let us come in and take free coffee to go and gave us some cups of fresh fruit. So based on my experiences, I'm going to disagree with anyone who argues that he's a disagreeable man. And in reality, who cares? If the food is as delicious as this, why does it matter what the owner acts like? You're going out to breakfast, not to be buddy buddy with the guy. And on that note, I haven't tried any of their lunch or dinner foods, but I can tell you that anything you order for breakfast will be awesome. I recommend the breakfast bowls or the tomato avocado eggs benedict (add bacon). I just found out they have trivia, so I'm going to try to go by on an evening to see what the dinner/trivia scene is all about. If there's anywhere I would recommend in the greater Boston area for breakfast, it's Sound Bites. Seriously.
(5)Steph P.
Some good, some bad. We got a table right away- good. Nice service- good. Free little plate of fruit- good. Serve yourself drinks- good and bad. Lots of choices, but you feel like you are in everyone's way. Food comes out fast- good. Crab on the crab benedict- good, but cold therefore making the rest of the benedict cold, therefore bad. Stuffed french toast, not quite stuffed, not quite good. Garlic mashed potatoes grilled up- good. Microwaved bacon- bad.
(3)Mollie W.
I'm going to go all out and give Mr. Grumpy from Soundbites five stars. If I worked as much as him, I'd probably be a little terse with people that are mad because their 'pancakes aren't buttered' Yes, thats a real quote from someone who reviewed prior. Maybe some buttering would burn off some caloric goodness that's about to ensue? Maybe the butter is just a suggestion but not a requirement. First off, self-serve unlimited cup of coffee. I only like flavored and it's WONDERFUL try the chocolate raspberry, or irish cream. Awesome after standing in the cold for an hour to get in. And one day mr grumpy soundbites let us in from the line to get coffee to wait in line with outside. Next , Breakfast. I'm a huge fan of the avocado-eggs benedict. It has probably a whole avocado in place of the ham. I dislike ham so its a great switch for me. Hollandaise is great and homemade. French toast (stuffed), and the tex-mex and ole' omelets are also excellent The no-place like homefries=Garlicky mashed potatoes fried up. They're deadly good, as in I think my cholesterol is higher thinking about them. But worth it. So try out soundbites, especially the specials menu. It'll be work the wait!
(5)Kristen M.
My boyfriend and I went for brunch a few weeks back and the food was excellent. I got nutella and banana stuffed french toast and my bf got the ham and cheese omelet. Our wait wasn't bad at all as we expected it to be a long one. One thing i'll skip out on is the mimosa-- although it was good, just TOO expensive. The price we paid could have been for a dinner-- never expect to pay that much for two at breakfast. Other than that, i'll def try again
(4)Markey-Mark M.
Best. Place. for. Breakfast. Ever. Love it. There's always a line sat/sun morning, but it moves quickly and it's great that they let you take a coffee out while you wait. Tons of veggie options, which I really appreciate, and everything I've had there is delicious. Just don't expect to go in and sit around for a while after your meal as they like everyone to order, eat and then leave promptly to make space for the people waiting outside.
(5)Team O.
No thanks. I got the ole omlette, which was tasty, and the "hash browns" were pretty neat. It was actually a pan fried brick of mashed potatoes. But we will not be eating here again. Their commitment to charging you for little things overshadowed the meal. The lady asked for some pickles on the side (cravings need to be satisfied, no matter the time of day) and they were happy to oblige with a small plate with three pickle spears, then charge us $3.50 for them. Anyway, our bill was close to 20 bucks for one average meal, a bagel, three quarters of a pickle, and some self serve coffee (which was more expensive than any served coffee at a breakfast place I've even been). Not impressed.
(2)Melinda P.
I have always heard of Sound Bites but had never been there til today. I sat at the bar and ordered a coffee and my waiter sent me to a "do it yourself coffee bar" w/ two different coffee choices (i had the house blend) and to eat i had scrambled egg whites, home fries, turkey bacon & wheat toast (very healthy of me) then the most embarrasing thing happened to me, the waiter brought me the check, I opened my wallet and had realized i had forgotten my wallet. The owner come to talk to me and simply just took my name down and said that if I promissed to come back, that I could pay it then. Even after I offered to leave a collateral and run home to get the card and come back to pay he wouldnt let me. I work in the restaurant business and its not everyday that I see a restaurant owner being so nice. I really appreciate it and I promisse to come back and bring my friends =) Thank you again
(5)Cici C.
Staff rude. Food is just ok, nothing to tell your friends about. Constantly got elbowed by people walking by. As soon as we put out forks down our dishes were gone. Halfway out of our seats two female staff were already reaching over us cleaning our area. Unbelievable. Been here few times and will not be back after today.
(1)Michael K.
This is my favorite breakfast joint in Somerville. If I'm not eating there once a week I feel like my life is lacking a certain something.... I've made a point to try something different every time and have yet to be disappointed. Personal favorite is the Broadway Bowl which is essentially everything delicious about breakfast thrown into a bowl. All of the dishes with avocado on them are also amazing. Really I have nothing bad to say about this place. The self serve coffee was a little weird to me at first but now I prefer it and can assure I have a hot cup of coffee at my leisure. Be warned on the weekends the lines can get kind of gnarly but not nearly as bad as the lines at Ball Square Cafe. BUT if you're a party of two they're usually able to seat you very fast. So dont be disheartened by the long line, it moves really fast. Manager is really friendly as well, and if you're lucky he'll hook you up with a plate of fruit just for the heck of it. Go eat here and be happy.
(5)Jeremy K.
There is very little I can add, especially since this place has been reviewed 210 times. I went there earlier today for a late brunch and ordered the eggs bene, a dish which I find to be hard for a breakfast place to master. The order arrived promptly but I was a bit confused with the fact that I had to go get my own drink. It threw me off and I found it to be annoying if anything. The order of my eggs benefict arrived promptly though, in about 5 minutes, if that. They were perfectly done and tasted amazing. So was the freshly pressed OJ cup I picked up in the refreshment area they have. The service was quick and efficient, because they need high turnover. I did find it a bit obnoxious that they brought the bill to our table before we were even halfway done. They weren't that busy and we fell kind of rushed. That aside the place is near flawless. Good prices, good atmosphere and they even had a nice little terrace. Parking's isn't too shaby either, Ball square has plenty of street parking available.
(4)Billy Su B.
sweet pizzles, some of these reviews are like freudian dreamworks SOMETIMES, A SAUSAGE is JUST a SAUSAGE. **skipping the 2 page life-story trend ** -the pancakes were delightful- they tasted ever so slightly of some kind of corn flour -zee zausage leenks ver zo goot! -the homefries were HEAVEN! i forgot to ask that they leave the homefries off my order b/c i'm always too full to eat them and they're never that good anyway and i hate wasting food, but i'm SO GLAD they came b/c they were unusual, delicious, heavenly, creamy/crispy/whipped/delightful -self serve coffee kept me on the move, which is good considering the amount of food i ate + i hate waiting around for coffee -the eggs, though ordered over medium, were scrambled and lovely, and the hot sauce was dreamy -the bagel was average, nothing to gripe about there is a full bar. A FULL BAR. why are you still reading? go to sound bites you fool.
(4)Leighann F.
A lazy Sunday and another brunch arrives, leading us to Sound Bites. Arriving after one, you'll find ample seating and some friendly, if not a bit frazzled, staff members rushing about the restaurant, which is filled with customers who are eating, chatting and enjoying their slow Sunday morning. This AM, we were among the newer customers, enjoying such novelties as a self-serve coffee bar with 6-8 different brews, a variety of milk (skim, whole and soy), plus syrups for flavoring. You have to appreciate, despite the bustle, how quickly the food arrived...though the (not very good at all) Eggs Benedict came a good five minutes before the (most amazing) French Toast (I've ever had in my life). Crusted in cereal, walnuts and almonds, drizzled in carmelized blueberries and banana, this giant dish of sweet, crunchy morning delight certainly washed any disdain previously felt by its late arrival. Sound Bites earns a spot in the brunch rotation. Find a way to work it into your Sunday, just avoid the Eggs Benedict!
(4)S. S.
This place is within walking distance from my house - ventured in on a weekday here to avoid the crowds. Ordered a latte and the stuffed french toast with strawberries and ricotta. The "latte" was just drip coffee with some milk dumped into it. The cup was dirty and lined with some leftover coffee residue - disgusting. As for the french toast - hands down the second worst french toast I have ever tasted. My god - it was soggy and tasteless and the strawberries had this weird moldy taste to it. I paid and left about 5 minutes after the food arrived, feeling pretty nauseous. I am not a complainer or very picky - but this food was pretty horrible. I left it pretty much untouched and not even an eyebrow raised from the serve staff. Ball square cafe - I am sorry I decided to betray you today - I got what I deserved!
(1)stephanie b.
Always good food. Tonite, the delivery man captured my declawed (no I did not do this) cat that escaped outside when I opened the door. He actually brought him back, had him in his arms, back to safety. . I can't ever thank him enough.
(5)Zara D.
Oh Sound Bites. Everyone I know has a love/hate relationship with this restaurant. Well, after yesterday morning, I would say I am now solidly towards the hate end of that spectrum. 1) The wait staff is incompetent and rude. They are always rushing you. But whatever, I had put up with it in the past because the food was great. 2) However, yesterday the food was so-so at best. I CERTAINLY could have produced better in my own kitchen. 3) The bill. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! When you are spending over 20 bucks just to eat breakfast...well, that just about blows my mind. $2.50 for your weak, watery coffee?! $4 for a gatorade?! Who are these people? Unless their gatorade is made of unicorn blood, it should NEVER be that expensive. And added gratuity, if I were a party of 7 I'd understand...but we were 5 people. The amount added was bogus and they were certainly undeserving of it. Sorry to say Sound Bites, but until you change your 'tude and your prices, I probably won't be coming back.
(2)David V.
For years I visited this establishment pretty regularly. The staff was hurried bordering on rude, but when you were waiting in line outside it was good to know the staff was trying to keep turnover high. About two years ago, I met 2 friends for a late brunch at Sound Bites, and toward the end of our meal, the owner accidentally bumped into the chair of one of my friends - and proceeded to throw a temper tantrum for the entire restaurant to see. Basically, we were kicked out, all because someone's chair was sticking out into the aisle by a few inches. Seinfeld's NYC has The Soup Nazi. Here in Somerville we have The Breakfast Nazi. With Ball Square Cafe open next door and featuring as its head cook the creator of Sound Bites' menu, there's no reason to ever endure the erratic behavior of the Breakfast Nazi.
(1)Kate L.
My favorite breakfast place has started to cut some serious corners. I wish I had Yelped about Sound Bites a few months back. My boyfriend and I have been to many a local breakfast joint, but this was the one we always came back to- happily. It had lightning quick service, delicious food, and a very reasonably priced menu. But we stopped in this morning after a long hiatus and were disappointed in nearly every regard. Their homemade orange juice is now a watered down fake, their potatoes (my favorite part of going there before) are not so good now and, dare I say, maybe made with fake potatoes? Their muffins are now gummy and their coffee now bitter... even the garnishes are under-ripened fruit slices. We were very surprised and very disappointed. I really hope this was a bad weekend and not a bad trend. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, Sound Bites! Here's one couple who's really hoping you go back to the way thing used to be... and quick.
(2)Brian I.
A legendary Ball Square institution. The owner of Sound Bites has a ridiculously great facial-recognition memory. I think it's a trait that separates the wheat from the chaff in hospitality. If you visit him often enough, he will remember you and reward you for your loyalty, first with fresh fruit, and perhaps other treats. Our first visit to Sound Bites was about seven years ago when Yasser was operating in the small leased space from Victor's Deli (where Ball Square Cafe and Breakfast is today.) Weekend crowds and lines speak for themselves - folks in Somerville and Cambridge tend to be serious about brunch and high-quality food in general, and they've rewarded Sound Bites with serious success. I'm a huge fan of just about each omelette and the legendary "no place like home" fries. My wife enjoys the sweeter breakfast fare - stuffed french toast, pancakes, and such. I've never been disappointed. Sound Bites was a "go to" place for us when we have out of town visitors. One of my friends from NJ made special requests to visit each weekend he was in town. Since our early visits, Yasser has expanded both across the street (to the Sound Bites BBQ) and next door, to his expanded location that was formerly a Mexican restaurant. He has a full bar and liquor license, and has been serving "brinner" - breakfast for dinner - for several weeks now, in addition to a delightful dinner menu of American and Middle Eastern choices. Support him and try dinner there one night! Ball Square Cafe, next door, is owned by the family that operates Victor's Deli. That they've so closely replicated Yasser's breakfast model speaks volumes about Sound Bites' success. Try the genuine article first. In addition to the above, Yasser is a fine Somerville citizen and has supported the proliferation of small, locally owned businesses. He was also extremely supportive of a non-profit fundraising effort we had recently. I'd say all the above even if he had not.
(5)Paul W.
One of my favorite places to eat breakfast on the weekend that is close by. I like the option of being able to get coffee in line while you wait. They have a good selection of coffee and it has good turnaround that it is always fresh. They also won't ask for you to move tables once you've been seated and waiting for a larger table like Ball Square Cafe will. Let's just say I've never been back to Ball Square because of that. Not worth it. Last time I was here I had the Tuscan omelette and it was tasty! They give a lot of fillings with the omelette so you don't feel cheated. The home fries are really good with some Tabasco sauce. Mmmmmm. The menu is extensive with a variety of options. If you like breakfast sandwiches, their deluxe sandwich is good too. Get ready to wait and to get kicked out so that others can get in.
(4)Elizabeth P.
As I was falling asleep on a Saturday night a couple of weekends ago, I found myself thinking about brunch--dreams of bagels and lox, omelets, pancakes, stuffed french toast with fruit, and hot chocolate danced through my head. The next morning, after a quick consultation on Yelp, we decided to head out to Ball Square and see if we could scrounge up a table for two. The Ball Square Cafe was nuts, so we ended up in Sound Bites. It was a good thing we got there when we did too (around 10 am): by the time we left, there was quite the line. Inside, Sound Bites was pretty loud. The tables are very close together, which adds to the noise/chaos level. The breakfast/brunch menu consists of pretty much everything you might want for breakfast/brunch: eggs, lots of omelet options, an interesting variety of eggs benedict, waffles, french toast, pancakes, baked goods, etc. So yes, the menu read well: the only problem was the feeling that we were being rushed. The service was undoubtedly the biggest negative of our experience (and the main reason behind the 2-star rating). Our waitress moved in too fast to get our order (we had to ask for more time twice), and then disappeared. Every time something came to our table (my hot chocolate, the food, our check), it was brought by a different person. Initially I thought this was a good thing--maybe we'd get a waiter who didn't seem so focused on getting us through there fast--but the rushing turned out to be a trend. Our check came well before my bf was done with his food, and our plates were scooped up before we were even sure we were done. I understand that there was a line, but it seems a bit ridiculous that we were being hurried out so soon, particularly considering that we barely spent half-an-hour inside. The food was mixed. There's a coffee/juice bar where you can serve yourself, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to notice this until after I ordered hot chocolate (there's nothing like a small mug of Swiss Miss for $2.50, topped with the whipped cream I had asked be held). My bf's french toast, stuffed with goat cheese and pear was pretty tasty--no complaints there. On the other hand, I really wasn't digging my mushroom and boursin cheese omelet. The little amount of cheese in the omelet was all at one end of it, and there was way too much herb and mushroom in ratio to the cheese and eggs. I also wasn't very impressed with the bagel--if I ever go back, I'll be ordering toast. Overall, the best thing on my plate was the hash browns: the potatoes tasted like they'd been mashed, amped up with some sour cream, and pan-fried. I think this was a poor job of ordering on my part: the Mexican omelets that arrived at the table next to ours after we placed our order looked much more delicious than what I got.
(2)Keiko Z.
My husband and I, when we first moved to Somerville last year, kept hearing our friends talk about Sound Bites- we had to go there. Well, we went there a couple of weeks ago, and well, color me unimpressed. I'm not really sure what the hype is about. Fruit bowls? I mean, that's great if you're really into your breakfast fruits, but who goes out to a restaurant for a fruit bowl? There are certain things that I try to use as a gauge when testing out new places. For ice cream shops, try their vanilla. For breakfast joints, order the eggs. Well, the eggs, were... eggs. I wasn't about to splurge on a special without testing their foundation, and I just wasn't impressed. Add to the fact that we were packed in like sardines, our waitress spaced out big time, and that they charge you $4 for a cup a fresh squeezed OJ (we actually thought our waitress was kidding when she handed us the check)... it left a lot to be desired. $35 for coffee, juice, eggs, mashed potatoes (b/c, let's face it- those are just fried mashed potatoes, not home fries), and mediocre service isn't my idea of the place you've just GOTTA go to for breakfast.
(2)Angela M.
I lived about a 15 minute walk away from this place for a little over a year and was saddened that my first time here wasn't until I came back to visit a friend. How did I not know about this place? It's awesome! We went on a Saturday at brunch time and were pleased to only have to wait a few minutes to sit down. The staff were incredibly friendly and the food was superb. I got the french toast and it made me cry a little. In a good "crying over your food because it's so amazing" sort of way. Needless to say, next time I am in Boston, I will be back. Also...the serve-your-own coffee bar should be a staple of every restaurant.
(5)AN D.
I've never been here for brunch- I wasn't even aware they did that. I come to Soundbites all the time with my friend for drinks. The bartenders and servers are amazing- nothing but love. They really make it the great place it is. Soundbites is a good choice if you want someplace not too crowded to talk and have a cocktail and some food. Thursday nights it fills up because they have trivia, which is also lots of fun. I'm definitely a fan.
(5)Cha Cha W.
Woo they've upgraded the decor since I've last been here! And yet somehow, there still manages to be a line out the door. This place is so awesome, like diner awesome, like back alley/basement Chinese food/hole in the wall (no longer)/keep it a secret awesome except for said line around the corner. A friend of mine gave me the great idea of calculating $ value for food by calories/$ spent. Believe it or not by that calculation, spam scores highest! Some of the menu offerings here come pretty close though, pretty tasty too while you're getting major value for your calories!
(4)Lea R.
My boyfriend and I just moved to the boston area and looked up good restaurants in the area and based on reviews we decided on Sound Bites and we have not gone out to eat any where else since we have been here. Amazing omelets, French Toast, fresh fruit & vegetables and a very friendly staff! The portions are just the right size and when I said they have fresh fruit and veggies, I meant it. It is so hard to find a gem restaurant like this....
(5)Shannon F.
Since that last review, I have found myself at soundbites at least once a month, and you know what? I love this place. I think i let some previous reviews sway my original impression. Now that I've become a good customer, the service is always more than pleasant. Actually, the owner often greets us with kisses! Ok, well I don't get kisses but my gf does. I'm not offended- and nothing personal but a friendly smile and greeting is enough for me! The menu here is unique and they're always offering brunch specials that sound amazing. One reason i go so often is to attempt to try everything. Also, I'm not sure if they're still serving dinner here but I tried it once and I was very impressed with my meal, and the variety on the menu.
(4)Ashley F.
Note: I've basically copy and pasted my review from The Ball Square Cafe. I saw no difference between the two places. We came here for brunch. There was no one at the front to seat us, though we could hear the staff socializing in the kitchen (we figured out it was seat yourself). Finally the server came by and dropped off the menus. (The only difference from Ball Square Cafe that I found was that the Cafe at least had a place for people to sit and wait out of the elements). The staffers tried to sound polite when they talked to customers, but it came off forced and fake. Let's start with the server. Our server was absent and fake with the friendliness. He didn't check on us once to see if we were ok with our meal. He also dropped off the check before we asked for it--a sure sign that he was pushing us to leave so that she could flip the table. Not a pleasant atmosphere to eat in. And then there's the self service drinks. You have to go up and get all of your own water, juice, or any other drink that you want to have. Fine, whatever, except that those drinks go on your bill, which then most people TIP off of. So you're tipping the waiter for drinks that you had to fetch yourself. Charming. Let's review: I saw my "waiter" twice: once to take the order, and once to bring us our food. He never brought us anything, and never checked on us. That's the kind of service you get at a fastfood joint, and you don't tip them. The service we got does not warrant tipping at all. People, if you do tip, be sure to deduct the price of the drinks from the tab before tipping, and remember to always tip before tax. Finally, the food. I always get pancakes the first time I eat at a brunch place. They're a simple dish, and if you can't get pancakes right you're a shitty place to have breakfast. I was very disappointed to receive meh pancakes. When they cooled off a bit they started tasting so bad that I couldn't continue eating them. To top it off, they charge you for "real" maple syrup. This place blew and we're not coming back.
(1)AJ T.
This is the first time I have given only one star to a place that had good food. The food was not the problem. First, we were rushed through our entire meal. Four of us were through our entire breakfast and rushed out the door in under a 1/2 hour. The waiter made us order (even though I needed more time to read the extensive menu). The food came quickly. The tab was left on are table before we were done and then the waiter came over and prompted us to pay and said other people were waiting. He said we should take are coffee to go. This was really rude. While we were sorting out the bill he came over and knocked on the table because we were not fast enough for him. I also hate getting my own coffee and water, which is in a crammed corner of this crowded place (good thing I wasn't hung-over, it would have been even more annoying.).
(1)Michael S.
Excellent Breakfast!! The Cornbread Pancakes are to die for!! And the eggs benedict are yummy as well. Long lines on the weekends so get there early.
(4)Denise W.
I'm mad I had to give Sound Bites 4 stars instead of 5, but it's because while their breakfast is top-notch in every which direction, the dinner is just okay. But back to the breakfast. I got a plate of freshly cut fruit, on the house, and that had me sold. Self-serve drink area and the self-seating during non-busy times are folksy enough to work, and when my brunch partner decided he wanted hot chocolate, it was prepared and brought to us instantly, all in a cute mug with whipped cream and nutmeg on top. HELLO. The proprieters, or who I assume to be the proprieters, are the nicest people. The food arrived quickly, which was necessary for our famished states, and the portions are huge. How do I know? The guy I dined with is 6'3" and is in his twenties (= hella appetite) and he said, "Wow, that's a lot of food!" By the way, I had an avocado, tomato, and jack cheese omelette and it changed my world. The lucky part is that they serve breakfast all day. Everything else, dinner and whatnot, is good but not outstanding. Perhaps its Sound Bites' brilliance in the breakfast department that makes all else pale in comparison, but I behoove you to try it out.be
(4)Melanie T.
I hadn't been to Sound Bites in years since I moved out of the 'hood. I'm back in the 'hood so I returned to find Sound Bites in its new digs. Still the same line, no focus on customer service, no chance to linger. But that's sort of the charm. Menu is big and everything sounds enticing. Portions are large. Eggs are cooked very well. Fruit bowl is big and lovely. Home fries are still mashed potato-ey but they weren't as good as I remembered. The staff came by no less than 4 times to "fix" the specials menu on our table (one stood it up in between the ketchup and salt, another came by to lay it down, the next stood it back up, etc.). That was weird. Still a solid brunch spot.
(3)Roland W.
Great Food!! We went on the weekday, so there was no waiting. Although I have heard they get you in and out pretty fast during the busy time. I personally liked the self serve coffee bar, as I like to have more coffee than any wait staff should have to keep up with pouring. We also got a few rounds of fresh fruit on the house, and a nice chat with one of the owners. Cheers!! and Thanks......
(5)buckminster f.
we finally went here after all the hype, not because we wanted to but because an out of town visitor chose the venue and was paying for our meal. pretty much everything was underwhelming, especially the bf's salmon omelette. usually it's a great thing to have a generous portion of smoked salmon on your plate, except in cases like these when the fish is stinky. bleh.
(3)Olivia S.
I was so excited to go out for breakfast with my daughter, but man, what a disappointment this place was. As we entered, we barely got greeted by a bored server. We ordered a hot cocoa and strawberry-chocolate chip for my little girl and a Capuccino plus the special French toast stuffed with mascarpone and caramelized apples. When the food came, both plates had extra butter in those tiny plastic containers. My French toast didn't seem to have any mascarpone in it, and when I asked where it was, the server pointed to the blob of off-white stuff on top. I tasted it and it tasted like butter. Then the manager (?) came and brought me some more of that dreadful stuff in a little dish explaining that they mix the mascarpone with butter "so that it tastes better" (really? why would mascarpone have to taste better???)! I took a sip of my Capuccino and almost spit it out - it tasted that awful. The milk tasted weird and the espresso they put into it was rancid. My daughter left her pancakes pretty much untouched and when I asked why, she said because she didn't like them. I tried them and they were awful. They tasted like - you guessed it! - butter. Salted butter. And the strawberries tasted like nothing. In August. Really? You can't find fresh produce in August??? My suggestion for this place would be to find better ingredients and forget the damn butter. I love butter but it won't make things taste better if you smother it all over everything. I can't believe I actually paid for my meal there. If my daughter hadn't been there with me, I would have thrown a fit. These people need to get there act together and serve food that is at least decent. Oh, and what's up with these servers whom you have to beg to serve you the food you're paying food? Fire them all! I'm never going back to this place and will tell me friends to stay away too.
(1)Jennifer B.
This place puts my old neighborhood, Ball Square, on the map. When I get a jonesin' for Boston around this time of year (fall can't be beat) I start thinking of fig stuffed french toast, exhorbitant breakfast wait times*, and the friendly funny people working here who hide behind a preposterous facade of surliness, and the aroma of the flavored coffee-while-you-wait. We'd send a roommate out to put our names in, then mosey around the block in our sweet time, taking in the weekend bustle of this confused preppy college-meets-working-class neighborhood. Dearer to my heart then fantastic in your face. All the same, five stars. *until you sit down, at which point you are pushed through a gruelingly paced meal, where you might find yourself exasperatedly swatting at the hands of men trying to take your plate away while it still has a few precious bites left on it.
(5)Ken M.
Sound Bites is really popular for brunch, but now that they've expanded (it's been a long time between visits), the line seems to move very quickly. It's pretty good quality food, but other than that, it's a mixed bag for me. The service is gruff and rough, but the prices are moderately high. Serve yourself drinks are really expensive. I really like the potatoes, but that's because now I'm used to the fact that they are mashed potatoes and not home fries or hash browns. The avocado and tomato eggs benedict was awesome.
(3)Sonia G.
This is a place in my backyard. I mostly go because it's an easy walk and up until today the food was decent (that said, i would never wait in the 2 hour lines that some people do). Today, however, opened my eyes and I can honestly say I'll never go back. I ordered the Moroccan eggs which came with 3 poached eggs. When the food arrived my eggs were hard boiled, not poached, so I asked if they could correct it. When the meal came back from the kitchen I literally got RAW eggs. I was so disgusted I couldn't even eat it, so I set it aside. I'm not typically one to send things back to the kitchen and I certainly didn't feel like doing it twice in one day, but you would think that someone would ask or follow up with me. Nope... The wait staff is rude and didn't stop by at all during the meal. We were there very early and there were only 2 other tables in use at the restaurant, so it's not like they were too busy to check in. And when they came to clear the table and saw my plate was untouched I made it a point to tell them that it was terrible. There were no apologies, no attempts to correct it and certainly no conversation about maybe not charging me for something that was inedible. The service has never been good here, but I always dealt with it in exchange for ease of location and decent food. No more for me. I'll go next door to Ball Square Cafe from now on even if it does mean waiting a little longer.
(1)P T.
Best breakfast food I've had. It's not greasy and heavy but rather leaves you feeling energetically full for the rest of the day! Ingredients all taste fresh. I've been here for breakfast twice and have had to order the challah french toast with fruit both times. DELISH!! The eggs bene are also great. The only downside is the wait but is definitely worth it..
(4)Alyson G.
My friend and I stopped in for brunch here and proceeded to order the whole menu. Well not quite, but I did order an avocado, tomato and cheese omelet (with egg beaters), bacon and a side of french toast (to share). My friend ordered the golden grill (I think that's what it's called) that came with a delish grilled corn muffin. Yes I even tried the muffin! Love that you can serve yourself coffee since I need caffeine pront. Everyone was super nice and service was pretty quick for a busy Saturday afternoon. There was no wait for us, we got to sit right away at the bar. This week I ordered take out (the basic with egg beaters and a bagel) and that was really good too. I am hooked on their grilled mashed potatoes. Since I tend to sleep in on Saturdays, I'm always looking for places that serve breakfast late. Glad there in one right close to me. So when I want to order brunch at 2 or 3, I still can!
(4)Lala L.
This joint is great for a small last minute brunch. The line can be long, since there's no more than 10 tables there. No big parties please! My fave is the omelette with avocado, jack cheese and tomatoes. yum! The best part of this place is their "hash/homefries" - it's actually a wedge of mashed potatoes that's crispy on the outside. They also offer muffins, pancakes...etc...and the coffee is self serve. Be careful though, don't get too comfortable, I got yelled at for using my cell phone.
(3)A J.
Dining at Sound Bites for breakfast is like an experience unlike most others. Sometimes the place is crowded and you wait in a long line; but some random times many tables empty out together and you get seated quickly. Sometimes they give you a free fruit plate and super fast service; other times you wait a while for service- granted by "wait a while" it is probably the average length at most places but a while by Sound Bites standards. I have been there numerous times at various hours throughout the morning/early afternoon and it just seems like pure luck of which experience you will have. With that said, the staff is very nice, although very abrupt (do not get nice confused with friendly) and I am always happy with my food. I know some people love this place for their self-service drinks, but I like their hot chocolate which is one of the few drinks they actually serve you. I order my bacon well done and it always comes out crispy. I also enjoy the variety of fruit pancakes they offer which are always very good. But most importantly, the main staple of my breakfast, the eggs.... If you like your eggs over-easy, and I mean really over-easy, where you just touch the egg with the fork and the yolk starts running everywhere, then you will be very happy with Sounds Bites. A lot of places seem to overcook the eggs and that takes all the fun out of ordering over-easy eggs when you cant sop up the yolk with your toast. I know, those who are not a fan of runny eggs may be disgusted by that but those who love them as much as I do know exactly what I am talking about! I cant speak about any other types of eggs there, but if you are a fan of over-easy, then I promise you will be very pleased!!
(5)Christine C.
One suggestion - know what you want before you even sit down (especially on the weekends). The lines can be long on the weekends but the food is quite good and there is a lot of character. The owner is sometimes grumpy and sometimes cheerful and sometimes rude. You just have to take your chances. I went there with my kids (1 and 3) and we got seated right away. It doesn't happen every time, but it was nice. If you go there on the weekday, it is much less crowded and you can take your time. The food is good and it comes FAST.
(4)Kathleen D.
I just can't see waiting in line that long for breakfast on the weekends. I went on a weekday and didn't have a wait. The place is nice with self serve coffee...and the food was decent, but again...the wait just doesn't seem worth it.
(3)Valerie W.
Another great restaurant spot in Boston (or should I say Medford/Somerville). Maybe the line isn't worth waiting for if its pouring down rain, but then again, maybe it is. Best to go on a weekday morning/afternoon. The breakfast here is great.... I especially love the moroccan eggs.. so fresh and good! Be prepared to see a lot of Tufts students, which can be pretty funny if you are one as you almost ALWAYS run into couples eating away their morning-after shame. Regardless, the food is consistently great.... but be prepared to be a little rushed by the sometimes pushy owner... best not bring anyone who tends to push back.
(4)Eric C.
Fantastic food, especially for foodie/veggies! But it's a semi-long wait, and you gotta eat fast...
(5)Jason K.
Honestly, I think Soundbites is pretty over-rated. I mean it has it's upside - coffee while you wait (this is huge) but you wait and wait and wait to be hurried out. The food had 'flair' I guess,but when it comes to hungover breakfast (or any breakfast for that matter), I'm more of an eggs and bloodies kind of guy - see you at Johnny D's.
(2)Veronica V.
I have a love/hate relationship with Sound Bites. On one hand, there is no doubt about it - it's the best breakfast in the area. The mashed potato home fries are unbelievable, the challah bread french toast is a masterpiece. On the other hand, it's not a relaxing breakfast experience at all. If you get there between 11-1 on a weekend, forget about it, you're waiting an hour in line. No thanks, I'll go to Supreme Kitchen instead. When you finally do get in, they try to get you in and out of there as soon as possible. That means the second you finish your plate, a busser swoops in and grabs it. Sometimes I'm one of the chosen ones who gets a free fruit plate from the owner. I'm not sure how he determines who gets them, but whatever, I feel special. It's all worth it if you get the free fruit. Overall, you can't live in Somerville and not try Sound Bites at least once. It's an experience in itself and again, the food is fantastic.
(4)Alfa N.
I really dig this place. Some of my fav' bfast are pancakes, malted waffle, french toast, breakfast sandwiches and lunches? great grilled chix, best felafel around (even better than the MIT felafel truck). And best bowl of fruit around by a country mile. I like the new place, really swanky and I hope it will develop character in time but I am already nostalgic for the old place, same reason I like Charlies in the South End, old, small, dingy, I am down wif dat. I've not come here on weekends, so I can't comment on the crowds or services, but I eat here at least once a week since our office is in Davis, and I really like the people here, they have characters, perhaps, some people may need the "Hi Honey" greetings, but this sort of superficiality I often get in Texas really annoys me, but hey, different strokes.
(4)alex l.
one of my favorite breakfast places. i usually get the nutrigrain waffle with fruit. the wait can be a little annoying but once you get in, it's worth it!
(4)Ethan H.
Great. The crab eggs benny are killer and they don't skimp on the crabmeat. They had a goat cheese and pear french toast special that was amazing. My only beef is the syrup isn't real maple syrup. If the owner is reading this- putting fake syrup on your good food is blasphemy- I would even pay extra for the real stuff- we are in new england- we are used to the good shit.
(5)Ligaya T.
this place is packed from six am to two pm (close). all kinds of people: families, tufts students, somerville locals. come in sweats, clothes from the frat party the night before. no one cares, everyone comes to devour (my fav are the eggs florentine). environment is boisterous and fun when the third wave hits at 11. remember hearing about the soup nazi in nyc? well, find his middle-eastern brother at sound bites. once you get past the lines trailing blocks DO NOT try to read a paper, talk on the mobile or exercise indecisiveness about the menu or the owner, yasser mizra, will feel irrevocably disrespected and tell you to get out and never come back. hes harsh like that. he noticed that i spoke to a girl at another table who didnt tip the expected 15% and approached me afterwards to discuss the issue. but if you are polite, appreciative and eat diligently you are guaranteed a extraordinary experience.
(4)Jackie M.
I think this place is completely overrated and a tourist trap of sorts. They suck in all the area college students and yuppies to stand in line in Ball Square for an hour to have breakfast!!! The food is good, but it's not THAT good! The place is small and cramped, service staff rushes you, the fact that there is a line of people outside waiting in the cold to come in and eat rushes you as well. I don't know, this just isn't my idea of going out for breakfast, but I guess it works for some...
(2)Sam C.
There must be no where else to eat breakfast in this neighborhood because it's always packed and the food just isn't that good. Plus the staff aren't very nice and they just want you out asap. However, the self serve beverage idea works for me. You can fill up on coffee as much as you want and when you want. But in the end, the food is not special. The hash browns are basically mashed potatoes with an overwhelming sour cream taste. The veggie omelet was oozing with grease and all the veggies were raw inside.
(2)Judi V.
I agree with John, the eggs bene could use a facelift (I like mine poached not scorched) BUT.. everything else I've had was good. The chicken salad is great and stuffed with chicken (I hate it when they walk a chicken thru may and try to pass it off.. ick). The stuffed french toast is yummie but will require you to do extra time at the gym to ward off the guilt. As for those No Place Like Homefries what can I say but YUM!! They're mashed potatoes that have been grilled... love em! As for the waitstaff... suffice to say they're characters. I thought it would lose it's appeal when they moved into the bigger space next door and was pleasantly surprised that they didn't! They do delivery in the local area so it's great for a burger and handcut fries when I can't get away from my desk! Don't go on a weekend morning unless you want to have your first cup of coffee standing on the street waiting!!!
(4)Kristin G.
I wouldn't wait more than 20 mins. The most i ever waited was 15, in the freezing cold. I'll admit that I was complaining, but the food was good.
(4)Adam W.
This place is amazing. We got the fruit plate and scone thing for breakfast, and it was great. Highly recommend.
(5)Eli G.
Gotta love it! I can never really decide what to order here because everything is so good. Amazing pancakes, stuffed french toast that is bursting with fruity flavor, Belgian waffles topped with a selection of fresh fruit (including kiwi, mango and papaya) and that's not to mention my favorite item on the menu: the home fries. These home fries are almost like grilled mashed potatoes and are perfect with some Frank's Redhot Sauce. If you don't like being rushed don't go here on the weekend.
(5)serra s.
Great food but don't ever go saturday morning. We waited in line for like half an hour for take out, and the breakfast was not so good take out unfortunately. Also, the people who run the place know they can do whatever they want because it's popular. I watched them kick some kids out because they had an outside soda when they got to the front of the line and wouldn't throw it away. I rate a lot on service and this place just didnt cut it for me. not worth the stress.
(3)Rebecca S.
I went here today for my first time. I was intrigued by the reviews - so I had to try it! My friend and I waited about 5 mins outside and then got seated right away! the owner came by and brought us fruit and he was really nice. the home fries were amazing and the french toast was great. self serve coffee was nice. not sure why everyone says the people are so rude. very friendly about making a substitution on what my friend ordered. i will be going back for the home fries!
(4)Firefly B.
This place rocks pretty hard. It's an institution. It's delicious greatness inside four walls. So what if they want to kick your butt out to the curb as soon as you're downing your last swallow?
(4)michael m.
yeah, it's not hard to make a good standard breakfast at home. sound bites does have a few unique items on the menu, but if you want to make breakfast at home, do that. i love the food. there are plenty of breakfast joints to choose--shopping around at others made me realize that sound bites actually is head and shoulders above the rest. the staff at sound bites is rude. if you have a stick up your ass you won't like that. if you're like me you appreciate it. you like the feel of the place, you like the food, you understand they want to move as much traffic as possible on the weekends so please order quickly and don't dally over your food, you don't undertip; you'll get treated well. if you don't respect that then you'll probably go away unhappy. recently they have started being a little friendlier. i haven't seen them throw anyone out for months. that makes me sad.
(5)J B.
There isn't much more to say that hasn't already been said. Yes, this is one of the best places in greater Boston to grab a delicious breakfast. Yes, if you go on a weekend day, you'll almost always wait in a long line. Yes, the owners have been known to be a bit surly. And yeah, those hash browns are to die for. They're sort of like garlic mashed potatoes with a crispy crunchy top. You can't go wrong ordering anything off the menu here, but be sure to make sure you get a side of those taters...mmmm....
(5)Johanna V.
If you live nearby, this is a fun place to grab brunch on the weekends. It has all the typical breakfast stuff along with a full bar... should you need more than Advil to get up and running. Coffee is self-serve. The wait staff isn't the friendliest, but they get the job done.
(3)So S.
Great breakfast for good prices. Ohhh man, the omeletes and the hash browns are to die for! and the waffles w/ fresh fruits!! Alot of different omeletes creations which you don't expect to see. Love the one w/ gargonzola, green olives and tomatoes. Can request for eggwhites only (but I don't really get that--whatever.) They just have great breakfast here and the coffee is pretty good. Closes early though at about 3pm and might have to wait for a table---but it is totally worth it!! You have to check it out!!! CASH ONLY.
(5)Georgia Y.
Sound Bites really is fantastic, and frankly, I appreciate a restaurateur who doesn't tolerate rudeness from his patrons. This place serves great breakfast, and the long line really is worth the wait, though you'll probably be hopping up and down, wishing you could sink your teeth into some tasty breakfast! My top choice is waffles with fruit and whipped cream. The fruit is fresh, the waffles are crispy outside, and soft inside, and the cream is sweet deliciousness. Come here for a no-frills atmosphere and great eats!
(4)Melissa A.
Ok, so you'll wait in line for a bit...but don't let that drive you away! The kitchen is super quick and they produce one fine breakfast. Cheap and expediant (once you're seated.) I've never had a bad meal at this Somerville joint!
(4)Brandy S.
Best breakfast in Boston and worst service in Boston. But, the food is so good, you just kind of go with it. The hashbrowns are AMAZING, as are their omelettes and eggs benedict. As everyone says, expect a long wait on the weekends, so try and go really early or later in early afternoon. Don't ask questions, don't ask for anything special, and whatever you do, DON"T meander after you finish eating.
(5)Jen and Tim S.
The breakfast is certainly tasty, and it's great that you can get a coffee to have while you sit in line. You'd better know what you want though, and you'd better not have any trouble shoving it down. I'd really like to give this place 3.5 stars, but it's not an option. It's really just my personal bias for an enjoyable breakfast, at my own pace, with time to read through the interesting menu choices and make up my mind. If that's what you're looking for - this isn't it.
(3)Bonnie G.
I had heard so much about this place, I ended up going on rainy weekday all the way to Somerville from JP (cause I could, I guess) and then walking the long mile to the place. It wasn't busy at all and I didn't feel rushed with my companion. I had a hard time choosing between sweet and savoury, but ended up with a goat cheese and apricot stuffed french toast with fruit and their homefries on the side. HOLY DAMN-them fries are more like mashed pataters! So yummy I crave em now. The ambiance is pretty simple-feels more like a lunch deli place in NYC, to be honest. The waiter was nice and not gruff at all. The coffee was damn good and I like the self serve of coffee (is anything more annoying than waiting for that lil ceramic cup to be filled with molten black caffiene?) as well. I definitely wanna come here again, but will take the advice of everyone and avoid the weekend. I like my b-fest easy, not sleazy.
(4)Todd W.
First, the potential downsides. It's super crowded at times. The tables are cramped. You may feel slightly rushed, being as how you've got around 30-45 min. to eat your meal, before they managers & servers start to hover. But these criticisms certainly do not overpower the fantastic breakfast you're gonna have here. The mountainous bowls of fruit, the serve yourself coffee bar, and the home fries are what makes it all worth it. The Smoked Salmon Bene (benedict) is a great choice. But you can also order their bowl of fruit and call it a day.
(4)Ben K.
Sounds Bites is one of those places that is difficult to give an honest review of because it's so damned popular. I'm tempted to hold it to the higher standard of legendary restaurants. The ones you show your out-of-town friends. The ones you wait half an hour in line for because the pancakes redefine your idea of pancakes. Judging by those standards, Sounds Bites was disappointing. I came late (late for brunch) on a Saturday, and didn't have to deal with out-the-door lines, so, great, but I still wasn't blown away by anything in the experience. Food was good, but not amazing. Space a bit crowded, but without the intimacy of a smaller restaurant. Coffee good, but not stellar, and coffee bar provided nice options and convenience, but I go out to a restaurant so I don't have to get my own coffee. Taking the "legendary" out of the picture, though, there was nothing really wrong here. The fruit bowl was overflowing with unexpected delights (mango, papaya). I was pleasantly surprised with the options afforded to my 2^3 meal (2x pancake or french toast, 2x eggs, 2x meaty-side). Pancakes were not the expected plain-only, but anything on the menu (and the triple-berries I got were, if anything, over-berried), and expected toast switchable with a pretty solid bagel. I would say my major complaint was that I felt cramped the whole time. The place stretches back fairly far, so natural light -- really pretty important for a good brunch experience -- was sparse, and the inexplicable full-bar (which is, in fact, a full bar, not just a well-stocked liquor cabinet) took up much more room than it really justifies (I guess this place is open for dinner? I've never heard anybody go past lunch, but maybe that's me). It looks like I'm in the minority in that I actually don't have any complaints about the service. Maybe it was because I came a little later than the main rush, but the wait to sit wasn't very long, and I never felt particularly neglected once I was at my table. So, hype aside, pretty solid. But since hype leads to lines, cramped seating, and turnover pressure, maybe try another hole-in-the-wall in the area, and save Sound Bites for off hours.
(3)Betsy K.
I would give this place a higher star rating for the food but on busy weekend mornings they rush you right out the door. The bottomless self-serve coffee is great and the food is pretty good. However, I went to eat here once with my mom and boyfriend and as we were sitting finishing our coffee someone came over and began cleaning the table around us, pulled the plate out from under me before I finished and actively tried to get us to leave before we were ready. I had enjoyed coming here before that, but it felt rude and pushy to force us out before we were finished even if it was a busy morning.
(2)Brittany H.
Not bad! Everytime I've been past this place it's been jam packed. So I visited on an off day and it was all right. I felt the food was a little overpriced for what you get, and the service wasn't that great, but it wasn't bad. When we walked in, we waited patiently for a seat. A woman mumbled something at us and gathered some menus. Then glared at us like we were doing something wrong, before she blurted out we could sit anywhere we wanted. They really ought to have a sign or at least a host that speaks clearly. I did like that you were able to get your drink yourself, though it was kind of annoying sitting by the water cooler. I liked fixing my own coffee the way I wanted it, and I was able to sample different flavors and fixings. The menu itself, ridden with typos and grammatical errors, also fails at truly describing the food. The menu said "If you like, you can also have a corn muffin" with my omelet. I didn't ask for it so I surprised when I received one ... with home fries too. The description never said it came with home fries (which are just griddled mashed potatoes -- a little different but taste great) either, so the extra side of toast and bacon I ordered became total overkill for me. A friend ordered the pumpkin pancakes, which were great. Too bad the maple syrup was a little watery. Overall, a great place for brunch -- though I've never been there on a Sunday morning -- definitely worth stopping by. But, if you're used to great diner food at diner prices with friendly diner staff, you may be a little underwhelmed.
(3)J R.
The self serve coffee / beverage bar is awesome! No waiting for coffee refills, ever. To me, thats worth 4 Stars. The food was average. I've had better Eggs Benedict $7.99 (read: properly cooked) at The Grecian Yearning. Poach an egg properly and I'm a happy camper, thats all. Not-too-much-to-ask. Service / Wait. Remarkably, we had no wait. It was high noon on a Sunday. Although, shortly after us there was a 10-12 person line. Just a note: beautiful women eat breakfast here. I'm-just-sayin.
(3)Ann G.
I love Sound Bites. I know the new trend is to head over to Ball Square Cafe but I have to remain true to Sound Bites. Here's why: 1. Ample seating. Even on the busiest of days you will not wait long in line. 2. Outdoor seating. I'm a sucker for outdoor seating and love that they have tables outside. I also really enjoy their big windows that they open in the summer time to let the beautiful weather inside the restaurant. 3. Free fruit plate! From the first day I went there I have received a free small plate of fruit about 75% of the time. Amazing! 4. Open morning, noon, and night. Breakfast for dinner anyone? 5. They have excellent nachos! I don't know why or how but they have the best nachos (at least in my opinion). 6. A unique family atmosphere. The people who run the business are brusque but in the best possible way. I love people who can run a business efficiently. I have to say that I don't really need the pleasantries, just get me my food! 7. Quick turn-around. They get my order in and deliver the food to my table promptly. I love Sound Bites and will continue to return. I've been to both Sound Bites and Ball Square Cafe many times and love both, but Sound Bites wins in my mind.
(5)izzy g.
BEST BREAKFAST EVER. actually. I have never been to a restaurant with the selection and flavor of soundbites. They have a ton of different types of omlettes (they're specials are great), and many of them are vegetrain friendly. The menu is INNOVATIVE. Goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast? banana and mozzarella pancakes? portabella/onion/pepper goat cheese omlettes? mushrooms with boursin cheese omlette? avocado OR asparagus benedicts? i could go on and on...you could never ask for a more awesome selection of breakfast foods. try jimmys morrocan eggs. Also, if you get a bagel (they are average bagels), the garlic and chive cream cheese is SUPER intense. I LOVE IT. full of garlic and chive, its spicy to the tongue. trust me, you will feel like a happy head of garlic (who cares about breath!). Wash it down with fresh squeezed OJ the owners are friendly and they personally bring out free fruit if you are cool enough. I LOVE THIS PLACE
(5)Sammi N.
There's always a line every weekend for breakfast/brunch, and sure, it's decent with a neverending list of items, but I prefer Ball Sq. Cafe (literally next door) for breakfast and brunch. Sound Bites had some cleanliness issues and has an interior decor of some pub rather than a breakfast joint. They're also opened for dinner, which I've gone too, but nothing spectacular. I had their turkey burger special that night, and it was nothing to rant and yelp about. Now, if they served breakfast for dinner... that's another story.
(3)Aya S.
Hm, ok, so where to start. I went to Sound Bites this past weekend with a few of my girl friends from college. This was the first time we ate here since they moved over from next door (the space that is now Ball Sqr Cafe-- I've reviewed that place as well). I've gotta say.....it's not the same! I kinda liked the old space where you could observe the grumpy owner yell at every customer. (I've even had the pleasure of seeing him get into a physical fight with a customer!) My friends and I used to come here back in our Tufts days-- hungover, standing in the line that ran down the block in blistering cold, just to get that plate of homefries & perhaps a slice of bacon. The crowded space with the rushed and mean service added charm to that place before. Now, it's just a brunch spot in a regular ol' restaurant with decor that doesn't match Sound Bites. I'd rather go back next door and squeeze myself into one of the little tables...
(2)Diane H.
They make delicious sunny side up eggs! though i can feel the oil, ahh. Also got the chocolate chip/strawberry pancakes, they were okay. The corn muffin was good, i likeeee! And the ham was good. Great place to get brunch with a group of friends, i wouldn't mind going again, it's chill. I still like my pancakes from ihop though ..
(4)Connor F.
My personal favorite is the eggs benedict with the hollandaise on the side, but really anything is a good choice as long as it comes with homefries. Potatoes never tasted so good.
(5)Julia C.
AMAZING. i go here a couple of times a month for breakfast on weekends, and i have yet to order anything that i did not like. i recommend eggs benedict, smoked salmon omelette, and their freshly squeezed orange juice. the wait can be a bit long, but rest assured that the food will be worth it!
(5)Andrew K.
This place has been voted Boston's best breakfast places and it did not disappoint. There is a full bar and now it is open for dinner but I only tried the breakfast here and I really liked it. The drinks are all self serve and there is a couple of coffee and tea options and you pay once for all you can drink. I ordered the lamb and eggs which was really good and I also tried the fruit bowl which came with fresh fruit and yogurt. My friend ordered the banana pancakes which were also really good. They are known for their pancakes so if you go there, I would suggest you try it because it is really good. My dish also came with potato hash which was so good. I hear there is a really long wait especially on weekends but if you come on the weekdays, it should be fine.
(4)Linda M.
.... another AMAZING breakfast! What a way to ring in the New Year. Can't get enough of the French Toast, Carmelized Bananas & Whip Cream- Nom, Nom, Nom. It's been a year since I first tried this place, Yassar and his crew have become like my extended family. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YASSAR & HIS WONDERFUL STAFF Xo
(5)Layla P.
Let me tell you how hard it was to walk by Ball Square Cafe and go into Sound Bites: PAINFUL. But I thought I would not be a true yelp contributor if I did not try a brunch place so within my reach since I go to Ball Square so often now. Well, HUGE disappointment. The french toast was bad - not just not good, but BAD. The challah french toast with hints of orange and cinnamon looked and sounded so promising but the bread was tough, dry, stale, tasted like a freezer - it was not savory delicious french toast. The stuffed french toast had a good cream cheese and strawberry filling (come on, I can mix cheese and jam together) but the bread here was the same problem - dry, didn't taste like anything, totally bare in some spots. I must say I'm glad I tried it so I know I'm not missing anything when I walk straight into Ball Square from now on. Rivalry between Sound Bites and Ball Square? Let me tell you something, there is no rivalry. It's dead. Ball Square is better PERIOD. The service is better, the management is better, the ambiance is better, the bathroom is better, and most importantly, of course, the food is infinitely better. If you are forced by some unknowing person to go to Sound Bites after all, get the chocolate-coconut pancakes, those were good. And beware that the orange juice, which you get up and serve to yourself, is $4 - $4 for OJ?! I can get a whole carton for less than that!
(2)John C.
i've NEVER had to wait in line for sound bites.. the place is just a lot larger than ball square cafe.. despite what people say, the food is EXACTLY the same. i generally chose sound bites due to the shorter line.. plus i know the manager outside of soundbites (really nice guy) and it's nice to have a plate of fruit thrown at ya here and there (they do this for pretty much everyone). overall, the service is great, the food is also pretty good for breakfast food.. slightly fancier than diner food but just as greasy delicious when you want it to be. coffee and juice is self serve, which i actually, love.. when you're hungover the last thing you want is to wait for coffee.. take a table and get your own cup, my style. if the eggs benedict was better i'de give it 5 stars... i'm about 2 miles away and the walk is always worth it when the weather allows.
(4)Katherine I.
Now something useful, and therefore cool: Expect to help yourself to a menu, place setting and nearly 40 hot and cold beverages in this 25 table eatery. Prepare to make a difficult choice between twenty types of omelets, ten kinds of pancakes, challah French toast and multigrain waffles. Or opt for one of my favorites, the fruit bowl and the deluxe breakfast sandwich with jack cheese, grilled tomato, red onion, and turkey sausage on a warm croissant. It's a happy occasion, albeit rare, to order a fruit bowl and get a visually pleasing and fresh mélange of ripe seasonal fruit. Critics of this neighborhood fixture and its notoriously abrasive owner ask, "What's the fuss?" Are they kidding? Their breakfast is great (don't waste your time or money on dinner here. I made that mistake once.)! Okay. Okay. Maybe not great, but it's certainly good. Undoubtedly, Mirza and son could use an etiquette class or three or six, but truth be exposed, Sound Bites has been dishing generous portions of reliably fresh and tasty breakfast fare at reasonable prices ($9.99 or less) for over a decade. This is what keeps everyone, critics included, coming back.
(3)Maria B.
Just discovered this recently via one of my friends. I have been looking for a casual breakfast place ever since moving to Boston, and here it is. It reminds me a lot of the cafes and breakfast places back home in NH, which is nice. It's very no frills, casual dining experience, with free refills on coffee and delicious menu selection. I would highly recommend it. It's also only a 15 minute walk from my apartment which is a nice touch :)
(4)E C.
The coffee is weak, the food largely flavorless, and the "home fries" are pure evil. You can do better. I do like the tables out front if you can get them.
(2)M J.
I go here often and while I love the staff (always friendly and always recognize me), I have found that this place is inconsistent, depending on which dish you order. But when it's good, it's very good. I had been going with the eggs benedict for a while and the spinach was slimy, the poached eggs old, and the muffins greasy. In addition, the fruit was a bit mealy. So I returned to my old standby- the golden grill. It was fanastic- the muffin was just crispy enough and the eggs (over easy) were done perfectly. Furthermore, the canadian bacon was chewy and a bit browned but not burnt. I think if you stick to the brunch basics instead of trying to try all the interesting sounding and unusual options on the menu, you will be "golden."
(4)Corydon S.
When it comes to breakfast I prefer something hearty and simple, which usually means poached eggs and strong black coffee. I mainly order the eggs benedict or a waffle. I tend to avoid this place on the weekend, but during the week I like to come here with a friend. They have a large full bar, if you want to drink. I don't come here all the time, but when I do I enjoy this place.
(4)Marie C.
Came here this past weekend with my roommate. I've been hearing about Sound Bites since before I moved to Davis, and I'd been meaning to go for a while. Tip: Like Renee's, this place is going to have a line outside, but that doesn't mean you need to stand in it like a sheep. Go in and ask! We were seated right away, even at 10am on Sunday. The place was definitely busy, and the noise level was a little overwhelming, but we still had a good time. There's a lot to choose from on the menu, I went with the Strawberry & Ricotta stuffed french toast. (side note: "ricotta" does not rhyme with "terracotta" folks!) The french toast was really good, I didn't think it was bland or dry as some have said. Maybe I got a good batch? My roommate had eggs, bacon & homefries. The homefries are kind of like, fried mashed potatoes, but they were really good. Anyway, give Sound Bites a shot if you haven't already. Don't be intimidated by tales of long lines. If you're looking for a quiet/relaxing brunch though, you might want to go somewhere else.
(4)Lauren H.
I honestly had to stop and try and remember if I went to Sound Bites or Ball Square Cafe yesterday... but it was definitely Sound Bites. They are literally right next door to each other, and apparently have the same menu, so we chose the one with the shortest wait. This place is pretty cute. Self Service coffee bar is pretty awesome. They have several different types of coffee and "add-ins". The home fries are like fried mashed potatoes with the perfect amount of garlic. You should definitely order some if your meal doesn't come with them. Pancakes live up to the hype. They are the best I've had in Boston. I got the triple berry, and didn't even need syrup. Everything else I had was so-so. Eggs were a bit dry. Hollandaise sauce was a little powdery. Bacon was, well, bacon. The wait wasn't too bad for a Saturday morning. About eight different people helped us, so service is alright, but not incredibly consistent. All in all, pretty good place to have breakfast.
(3)R.A. C.
extremely happy for this place to have been able to expand. I have been in and out of the powderhuiose area since 2001, and have been going to soudn bites intermittenedly since that time. when they were holed up in the cramped quarters beside their new place, they were rocking...lines 25 people long out of their door. All manner of diners - tufts brats, townies, yuppies; a beautiful melting pot replete with some of the best eggs benedict that i've ever had. In august when i returned after a 3 year lapse in good sunday brunch food, their new digs accomodate the now seated 50 odd people on a sunday. their prices have jumped a bit, but its still a damn good eggs benie. cheers sound bites
(3)Erhardt G.
Ate Saturday Brunch here, and only had to wait about 15 minutes in line outside to be seated around 12:30pm. Great list of affordable options from the full breakfast and breakfast special menus. The Scone Plate offered every component you could possibly hope for from a breakfast, with great flavoring (dill and cheddar on the eggs). This place is definitely worth checking out for a lot of food for a good price and quick turnaround of the food after ordering. Can't speak to Sound Bites as more than a breakfast joint, but would return again as a less expensive but still filling alternative to the Friendly Toast.
(4)Lina G.
Ok, this is the kinda place that starts off great, gets a fabulous reputation, then they start getting a little lazy and the food, service and everything else ends up suffering....a little like Zaftigs in Coolidge Corner, know them? They were amazing 6 years ago but now, FORGET IT, would not go back, so not worth it. Anyway, we went on a Tuesday morning so we wouldn't have to wait 2 hours for a table. We got seated right away by some guy that was wearing mirrored shades (??). Uh, ok, we're indoors, it's cloudy out and you're wearing a sous chef's uniform. I mean, I could totally see my reflection in his face...maybe he does that so the customers can check if they have anything in their teeth post-meal, I don't know. My hubby ordered the Moroccan eggs and I got the french toast with pears and goat cheese. I was expecting some amazing dish but I swear to you it tasted like nail polish remover (not that I've ever had nail polish remover but that was the scent stuck in my nose while I was eating it). I thought, oh shit I'm being poisoned. We finished and paid, the guy who takes the order tried to jip me 5 bucks and I was like, excuse me? Where's my money? He was apologetic for his mistake and blamed it on being busy. I looked around and saw 3 tables with people, one of them being some of the staff. I brushed it off and still left him a nice tip because that's how I roll.
(3)Katia M.
I kept hearing about this place, from right after I moved on a random listing, to on the Phantom, my weekend guilty pleasure food orgy-a-thon TV preference. Finally, boyfriend in tow, I made the walk. From Porter. He was hung over, I wasn't, so after the twenty-plus minute death march to Broadway, I felt bad and, seeing the line (it was, after all, 10:30am on Mother's Day), offered to pay. I had some kind of Moroccan egg dish, he went for eggs and grilled corn muffins. My meal didn't come with the famous home fries, so I ordered a side of them for good measure. We were a bit confounded by the coffee service, but all was forgiven when I went over to grab us a couple cups and noted that, yes, they have soy milk! And honey! And a whole lotta kinds of hot sauce just waiting for me to taste. Two cups of coffee and one bottle of "the green stuff," I dodged patrons and waiters and was back at the bar. The garlic-mashed-potatoes as home fries were a good change up from what I am used to, and the food came fast and was well portioned, meaning there were mounds of eggs and veggies on my plate. Bathrooms were clean, check came quickly (I hate lingering for a check), and breakfast was accomplished in a splendid fashion. The walk back seemed a lot shorter, and the hangover was effectively slain.
(4)Jocelyn G.
Went to Sound Bites on the 4th of July because the line was almost non-existent. Took about 10 minutes to get a table and then in the next half hour we had our order taken, delivered, and the bill arrived. Nothing like snappy service. The food isn't anything too spectacular, its a fine place for breakfast food. The owner didn't freak out when someone's phone rang, he actually started trying to identify which brand it was. Overall, not too bad.
(3)Neera J.
Ok, this place is not high class, people. I lived down the street for about two years, and there is a reason I go back every time I am in Boston, no matter how far away I am staying. The wait may be long, the space cramped and only relatively clean, the service smarmy, brisk, or jovial depending on their mood, but this all adds to the charm. As people have mentioned, you'll be waiting a while if you come with a big group on the weekend. Thats a given. They will not let you have a leisurely brunch. In fact, I once saw the owner yell at someone who was waiting for chatting with someone who was eating. This is how they do business: high turnover, no messing around. This also means your food comes fast, hot, and so does your check. The waitstaff other than the owner is by and large incredibly sweet. A lot of them don't speak very much English, so they may come off as rude, but give them a chance. They are working very hard and focused for their checks, and a smile goes a long way with them. So on to the food. The coffee is great and bottomless. I never tried it, but my dad still pontificates about their lattes. He is VERY specific about his lattes. This was a triumph. Now the other things.... my personal favorite is the multi-grain waffle with fruit, no whipped cream, real maple syrup (it costs extra, but I'm a snob) with a side of turkey sausage and (no place like) home fries. The waffles are incredibly delicious, and the fruit is amazing. A huge variety from watermelon and mango to kiwi, strawberry and papaya. All ripe and delicious. The sausage is patties (the only way i'll eat it) and is super yummy. The home fries are amazing... these aren't your average home fries, its more like delectible grilled mashed potatoes. I add hot sauce to them. droolz. This meal will happily fill me for most of the day. I also love their breakfast sandwiches (no egg for me, no problem). People love their pancakes, and I say they're just okay. Except for one time, when I was craving peanutbutter pancakes - not on the menu. Preface to say, I went there a lot so the owner recognized me. For those of you in the know, hes not big on making substitutions, but if you ask real nice, he is begrudgingly willing. Well this day was a good day, because he put in a special order, and it was AMAZING. hot melty peanutbutter and bananas in pancakes... yummmm. He came over and tried some, loved it, but said he couldn't put it on the menu because it took too long to cook. I hold this experience close to my heart as it was the day I knew Sound Bites was one of the best places on earth. My advice: Go. If you don't like it, don't go back. They don't need you. If you like it, you will cherish this Somerville treasure for the rest of your life.
(5)Erica E.
I hadn't been to Sound Bites since they renovated and I was pleased to find the "new" Sound Bites is much more spacious. Despite the long line the wait was short. Service was a bit short, but it was also really busy. The serve yourself drink service located at the back was a bit awkward, but the fresh-squeezed orange juice was worth it! I ordered the french toast which itself wasn't anything too exciting, but it was topped with enough fresh fruit (beyond your usual strawberries and bananas...mango, melon, etc too!) to please me and the five others I was dining with. I'd go again.
(4)A L.
Just had my last meal from Soundbites... As a frequent customer for the past few years, I can say that the customer service has declined dramatically. I was pretty appalled when they offered absolutely no insight nor apology for the extra items they tacked onto our bill. And please - I've been there at peak brunch time more times than I can remember and we've NEVER been told multiple credit cards couldn't be accepted. Word to the wise - pay attention to your bill, they have a habit of illegibly scribbling additional charges on there hoping they'll go unnoticed. And shame on you, Soundbites...way to lose some loyal customers. UPDATE: Yassir's response 10/18/12: "Please , let's talk about that matter , If we did that mistake you will get what ever you like with big appology , you are hurting our business , I'm sure you are a nice guy and you don't like to do it for us , you said you been a loyal costumer , please stay loyal , if it happened I assure you it was a mistake , I wish you talked to me before you left, and yes we do take multiple credit card too , please right me back" My response to Yassir 10/23/12: "Clarification: I DID try to "talk about that matter." Instead of explaining mysterious charges on bill or rewriting it so it was legible, u just repeated "it's right, it's right" &hurried us out the door &refused to let us pay w/ multiple cards. U didn't care until this Yelp post. &I can assure u, I am a nice "guy" (a nice woman, actually) I believe in local business patronage &was a loyal customer but over the past few months ur service has been appalling. Instead of being reactive &trying to woo former customers back w/ promises of free stuff, be proactive &address the issues. Make it easier for patrons to read ur receipts, clearly mark tip&tax amounts, try to focus on servicing the customers sitting down rather than hurrying them out the door to bring in new ones. I can't say I won't ever eat at Soundbites again, but u can bet I'll take my business (& my friends' business) elsewhere until I have a little more faith that I won't have such a poor experience at Soundbites again."
(1)Matt C.
I'm frankly shocked by the people reviewing this place, its people like this that give yelp a bad name. The fact that this place has below a 4 star average is a travesty. I love breakfast, and seek it out often, but my ability to make eggs is far below subpar. Thus, I go to alot of breakfast places. Sound Bites is far and away by favorite breakfast place. Everything I have ever eaten here has been terrific. The omelets are fluffy, the pancakes perfect (if not a bit small compared to some places), the home fries mashed and to die for. The prices are reasonable, seeing as coffee is unlimited (its not high end but it is certainly enjoyable) and the Omelets in the $7-8 range. As for the majority of complaints on this page, first off the lines are long because people love this place (for a reason I might add). If you really detest lines so much as to base your review on them, go to Bickfords or something, because this place will ALWAYS be busy on a sunday. And for the wait staff, yes they are going to be rushed, its busy if you haven't noticed. I have never, in the years I have been coming here, had a rude host, just busy ones that couldn't go through the "oh how are you, I'm Melinda" motions. Give them a break I love sound bites, and I'm confident you would too. Be prepared to wait in line (unless you show up on a weekday) and deal with people complaining in that line (I find it funny that the people that won't stop bitching consistently come back), but once you get in it's fast and delicious.
(5)Krystle P.
I have always heard such great things about this brunch place. I drive by it and see long lines of people waiting outside the front door (always a sign of good food). So I have now gone to it twice and find myself disappointed both times with the outcome of the food. First time I thought maybe it was a mistake, my eggs were too runny for an omelet but I was willing to give it a second try. The second time I ordered Apple Cinnamon Pancakes and I was hoping to have apples and cinnamon in my pancakes instead of one apple slice per huge pancake and cinnamon dumped on pancakes after being cooked. The Orange juice is overpriced as well. I will bring my guests elsewhere next time.
(2)Matt S.
ive spent too much time here hung over to not give this 5 stars
(5)Anthony R.
I was here this past weekend for brunch and was underwhelmed -- the last time I'd come here it was early early on a Sunday morning before the crowds had arrived and that was a much better experience. The food is definitely solid breakfast food -- the omelettes are good, the pancakes and french toast are tasty. I'm not 100% sold on the lazily and hastily fried mash potatoes that they pass off as hash browns, but of course I have eaten all of them every time I've been. That said, I'm not convinced it's worth waiting in line for -- I just don't think it's that special. I'd take a pass next time and head to Supreme Kitchen, Alfresco, or just try to be less lazy and cook breakfast at home. I'll still have to get coffee and OJ myself but nobody will hover over my table as I'm finishing to get me out the door.
(3)Greg L.
This place came highly recommended so we went for Sunday breakfast. It was extremely busy but my fiance and I were seated right away. Coffee is fantastic. You can tell if its a good breakfast place if they serve good coffee; nice and strong. Breakfast, even better. I got the avocado and tomato eggs Benedict. This unique twist had huge slices of avocado and tomato with a very tangy hollandaise sauce, a perfect combination. The meal was so filling, you dont have to get anything else. Service was also great. I dont expect to be wowed by the waitstaff at a breakfast place. All I want is to get my order right, deliver it quickly, and pay the check fast. They did all three perfectly. Overall a great place. This is going to be in my regular breakfast rotation.
(4)Rana J.
My boyfriend just moved to Ball Square, and although we had ventured out there for brunch at sound bites many times, it wasn't until our late nights of house fixer-upping that we discovered dinner at Sound Bites. The Mediterranean plates are huge and full of grilled chicken, salad, and your choice of 2 sides - they're a healthy and delicious alternative to many area options. The service was extraordinary - the complimentary fruit plate was a treat with mango and kiwi and strawberries and more. Go there for dinner when you're too lazy to cook. The draft beer left something to be desired - sort of flat/old tasting.
(4)Wendy H.
Best American style breakfast/brunch restaurants in Cambridge. 5 stars for the: 1. Fresh fruit pancakes (My all time favorite is the chocolate and strawberries) 2. Eggs- super fluffy and light! 3. Homefries - aka mash potatoes 4. Price 5. Huge selection of dishes to choose from!
(5)Nicole J.
Food: The bomb! Eggs Benedict is great, as are their fresh, in season fruit plates and great coffee station. Pancakes are good, not the best I've ever had. I saw a sign that stated this place was voted best pancakes, which I disagree. Service: Fast Wait: LONG! A huge Taking off one star, even though I think this place deserves 5 stars based on food and service.
(4)Alex G.
It's a frequent go to. Great menu, fast service, quality food. Sometimes the crowds are difficult (particularly on weekends) and quality suffers, but for the most part Soundbites is a great breakfast spot.
(4)Michael W.
My sister suggested we try this place out. So when I came to visit her we went. Great breakfast menu with a wide variety of classic items... Huge smoked salmon egg Benedict was great.... I was fortunate to get a shirt from the owner who is a very personable and always moving around the restaurant.
(4)Ess P.
Great food. The french toast is a must! The home fries are different, they are more kind mashed potatoes but they're still yummy. Personally, customer service has always been great for me, I've even received free fruit bowls a few times :). No one has ever rushed me out of the door and I've been here plenty of times. Come here on a weekday if you want the best seats/no waiting.
(4)Brian M.
Soundbites is decent enough overall, subject to the following caveats: It's a bad, bad idea if you have a hangover; it's cramped, you have to schlep up and get your own damn coffee, and at 9:45 on a Saturday morning it's full of people with their wretched kids. Leave little Ethan and Kaya at home next time, huh? The food tastes very good, esp the homefries but is a bit on the oily side for me. Good, original variety of omelette options, which is always cool. There also tend to be a lot of students, but at that hour they're docile enough. The service was pretty standard for a busy breakfast place.
(3)Petra P.
To paraphrase from another reviewer: this is my idea of breakfast heaven. All their specials are amazing -- I particularly like the eggs bene and the boursin + mushroom omelet. Both of these dishes are amazing, fresh, and very tasty -- the combination of flavors to me seems to personify what a good "New York style" breakfast/brunch is all about. The refillable coffee (in Soundbites mugs) is great (and a lot of fun to pick your own mug, etc.). My boyfriend and I eat here quite often on the weekends... We try to beat the rush by arriving before 10 am if we can manage to peel out of bed. I think the service is rushed and, yes, sometimes the owner can be grumpy, but come here often enough and you are treated like a regular and you get used to the rush. In any case, we come here for the food (OHHH THE HOMEFRIES), and I am kind of glad that the people who usually linger for hours over toast and coffee feel like they should get going. So I'd give them an extra star for that service alone :) And maybe another star for the grilled blueberry muffin.... So 7 stars all in all, if you lost count.
(5)Rebecca R.
Sound Bites and I are a perfect breakfast/brunch match. If you're looking for a great Saturday or Sunday morning hangover reducer, I cannot recommend Sound Bites enough. I'm almost personally offended at the lack of five star ratings for this place. Yes, you will most likely wait in line for your meal. However, the wait staff are super trained in getting parties in the door. I have never waited more than 15 minutes for a table, even on the busiest of mornings. And you are allowed to run into the restaurant to grab a make-your-own coffee as you wait. Yay! Most importantly, Sound Bites has the BEST breakfast food in the surrounding Somerville area, hands-down. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Tomato Bene, or Eggs Benedict on steroids. I normally don't love tomatoes, but SB's are always fresh and ripe, as is the avacado. The hollandaise sauce is delicious, flavorful without being overbearing. All of the egg dishes come with SB's "There's No Place Like Homefries." I crave these potatoes like a pregnant woman. Not your typical homefries, SB seems to take a generous portion of mashed potatoes and turn them into a breakfast delight. Love at first bite. Other favorite orders of mine include the Boston's Best Blue (a cheese omelette with the most delicious toasted blueberry muffin you have ever tasted), the Fresh Pear & Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast, and the Breakfast Burrito. The Fruit Bowl is ah-mazing, filled with typical fruits (banana, apple, melon) but also garnished with other in-season treats like mango, paypaya, and kiwi. For a semi-inflated price, you can get some of the best fresh-squeezed orange juice ever. Beware, though, it does cost $4. Another bonus: Once you're in, you're in. Sound Bites staff definitely value returning customers. I'm always greeted warmly and thanked for coming back. If you are forced to wait, particularly if the weather is cold or rainy, SB will make it up to you in some way, usually with a complimentary plate of ridiculously fresh fruit. Staff do get you in and out rather quickly, but I see the speedy turnaround as the mark of a well-oiled machine. If you're looking for a quiet place to sit for five hours and do your Sunday morning crossword, it may be better to try Starbucks. For anyone else looking for some good eats at a great value, Sound Bites is your place.
(5)Jordan A.
I ate here for the first time today. I had the Spinach Eggs Benedict. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the hollandaise sauce was amazing. The bloody mary was eh, not that great. Overall, a great brunch! A little pricey, but probably worth it for the great food. (over $20 / person for coffee, bloody mary, and meal.)
(4)Gaven C.
Great breakfast food for great prices. Parking situation needs help.
(4)Ryan C.
Alright, Sound Bites, WTF. If it says "home fries" on the menu, and I order it, I really want it to come with home fries. Mashed potatoes are not home fries. In fact, it really spoils my breakfast when you serve me a breakfast bowl with the eggs and peppers and avocado heaped on top of mashed potatoes instead of home fries. I mean, seriously, who eats mashed potatoes with eggs and avocado? Seriously.
(2)Claudia H.
Sound Bites Café in Ball Square is apparently a well-known Boston establishment, multi-time winner of best brunch in Boston, but I was only introduced to the place recently. While weekend brunch with a group of eight can be more of pain than a good time, I was happy for each friend who was there as it was an excuse to try another enticing item off the very eclectic menu. We had the standard variety of eggs, bacon (crispy and delicious), pancakes (banana walnut were phenomenal), waffles (very thick and tasty but difficult to eat after getting through the mountain of fruit and whipped cream on top), and home fries (basically creamy mashed potatoes pan-fried for a little crunch). We sampled some of the usual omelets (like a luxurious mix of goat cheese and portabella mushroom) and one person ordered the stranger strawberry and mozzarella (which, to be honest, he chowed down before I could stick my fork in it). The entrees seemed fairly priced at $5-$9. The big "seasonal" fruit bowl (for about $5) consisted of delicious ripe mango, kiwi, papaya, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, apple, and pineapple. Beyond great food, the service here was exceptional for a crowded brunch place. Even while waiting on line outside, the waiters continually checked in with our group and offered encouragement. Our waitress, without any prompting, asked our group if we wanted one or multiple checks and then was happy to write up five different checks for us. She was also willing to make substitutions. Lastly, though the self-serve coffee rang in a little expensive at $2.50, we not only had a bottomless cup while at the restaurant but also were allowed to take a travel-cup to go with us when we left.
(5)Leeta W.
I wish I could give it 2.5 stars but since I was required to choose, 2 stars felt more right. I have not been brave enough to attempt their Sunday brunch but I found myself craving a burger while in the area so gave their non-breakfast food a try on a cold Saturday at 4ish. I've wanted to check this place out for a while and finally ventured in to the famed Sound Bites. I was surprised how small it is! Which now explains the crazy long lines on weekends! I was dying for a good, juicy, flavorful burger and also had a chili craving so I ordered the the chili burger with cheese and onions. Atmosphere: I guess this was the cleaning up before dinner/counting money/shooting the shit time of the restaurant because there was a lot of all of those things going on so I almost felt like I was intruding on their dinner prep but they had to do it and I chose a weird time to go so I couldn't get too bent out of shape. But the smell of cleaning products and personal (loud) conversations made me want to eat fast and leave. The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and they even gave me a free little plate of fruit while i waited. The hand-cut fries were AMAZING!! definitely the best part of the meal. I ordered the burger medium because "well done" in this town seems to equal a dry hockey puck. Somehow they managed to keep the inside pink but the outside was almost burnt and very crunchy and they don't add any flavor (salt, pepper) to their burgers so it was very bland, and topped with very bland chili. I had to add salt, ketchup AND barbecue sauce just to get a little bit of flavor. It was huge and had good intentions but just didn't do it for me (wow, that can be misconstrued! lol) So no burgers there for me again but I will give the brunch a try some day.
(2)Amber H.
So, I am not a big breakfast lover. But I crave the home fries from here practically on a daily basis. Seriously, it's unhealthy how much I love them. They are like perfectly seasoned fried mashed potatoes. These are a tie for my love of Waffle House hash browns. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm from Georgia. Enough said. So, back to Sound Bites. There's a long wait on the weekend sometimes but to me it's worth it. The people there are always friendly although sometimes rushing around quite a bit. You can get your own drink whenever you want to, the portions are good for the price and the tomato asparagus eggs benedict are also super yummy! So, definitely give this place a try. And get the large fruit bowl- it' well worth the 5 bucks!
(5)Christina Z.
Ball square, you're in luck for nightlife. This fantastic albeit intimidatingly crowded breakfast joint brings in Greg for their dinner and late night bartender and he is truly an artist. His signature cocktails are masterpieces and that perfect blend between tasty and bang for your buck. Draft beer list contains Boston staples as well as new favorites - always a few BBCs and other such seasonal delights. Hit or miss for crowds, but even when its slammed you'll be welcomed like an old friend. I've yet to have anything on the dinner menu I've been disappointed in, and portions are big. Overall, couldn't be more pleased to be a regular - great hidden gem!
(5)Kelly G.
Sound Bites is one of my favorite Somerville brunch places. If you're in a small group-- sit at the bar. The owner is often mixing and sometimes over mixing drinks and I usually end up with a shot or two of margarita and some bloody mary before the meal is through. Lately, I judge brunch places by their fruit plate. I like toast, eggs, and a big pile of fruit for breakies...and I know that I'm not the only one. Sound Bites makes a great fruit plate...and their eggs aren't greasy, and they're not stingy with the butter on the toast. So awesome in my books! I like the help yourself beverages station, also. Unlimited refill coffee, tea, and the powdered cocoa. They also have a great juice selection. There is often a wait, but the staff is pretty jolly about it-- and you can go get your buzz on while you wait in line due to aforesaid coffee station..which is pretty nice. Go Sound Bites. The best days to go are when it's raining because then people are less willing to wait in line and the wait is shorter. But on a nice Saturday or Sunday morning, be ready to stand around.
(5)Allison S.
Sound Bites has some decent breakfast food - and a great bar! I loved that I was able to get a mimosa before my breakfast. I also didn't mind having to serve myself my own drinks. It was like having an endless cup of coffee, which was nice. However, the service was terrible. TERRIBLE. Although I was lucky enough not to have to wait in line when I went, over an hour had passed between the time that I ordered and the time I actually received my food. When I asked if our food was ever put into the kitchen, the staff was kind of rude and curt. I know that working in a kitchen or breakfast place isn't the best job in the world, but at least try to be nice. I hate to admit this, but I was actually a little drunk after 1 mimosa at 1pm on a Saturday.
(3)L H.
These guys are fantastic. WE are regulars and they always give us free fruit to take home. Last week they gave us a free muffin with our meal! Food is awesome, fresh and speedy. You can eat healthy or go crazy. We choose this over Ball Square because it's more spacious and has outdoor seating. We'll miss this place when we move.
(5)Leslie S.
Beats Ball Square Breakfast hands down!
(4)Cara P.
REMEMBER THE SOUP EPISODE OF SEINFELD If you come here, you will just have to accept that you will get treated like crap especially since the food is really that good They don't care what you think, because yeah the food is awesome.....honestly, part of the reason I come here is become I expect their wait staff and owner to be, well rude. Just like a bad relationship, I keep coming back for more. One move wrong and your sweet ass is back on the side walk with everyone else who has been standing there for an hour Just stand in line, let the people who spot their ex from high school that they haven't spoke to in 15 years, cut you in line.... deal with it, get your coffee, sit down, try and find someone who can place your order.......... once you see someone just scream your order as loud as you can. (A tip. pick out what you want to eat by the time you are seated. DON'T worry. You'll have time.) You can even write it down on a piece of paper and shoot a paper airplane their way. It will move things along. Only chat while you are in line or are waiting for your food. Once your food comes..it's all business. No time to chat. It's all about the turn over baby! When you are done, just throw your credit card at the waitresses face or flag down the owners son ...you'll know who he is.......he's the one full of a life time of aggression against his dad for A) making him deal with this dumb ass bitchy crowd on his weekends B) Knowing exactly what he is in for when he is older and takes the business over Once you get his attention just hand over your cash. By the time he has figured out what the hell is going on and if you gave the correct amount or not, you are already running out of there. The burn from the death glares of the next people in line waiting to be seated proves to be too much to handle. This is all part of the craptastic experience you will have at Sound bites, which by the way does not revolve around music or records....Oh and part of the fun is waiting to see if you are actually selected to receive their infamous fruit bowl! We put money on it. Get the Fig Stuffed French Toast. Yummers. Just eat it FAST!
(3)Emily F.
Service is fast, but quality suffers tremendously. By the way, Wonder Waffles are wack, I wonder why it doesn't come with friut like it says; they should change "fruit" to "half slice of orange" *(said orange may not actually be orange). My portabella, goat cheese, egg white omlett, was good except I couldn't find the eggs amidts the plate of mushrooms. Although the food was over-priced, nothing topped the cashier "accidentially" charging $38 rather than the $28 bill. In short, I'm not vouching for this place.
(2)Jesse M.
I would like to upgrade this rating to a 5 stars because the owner got in a fight with the owner of the breakfast spot next door, Ball Square Cafe. I can't wait to go back to Soundbites for some KICKASS breakfast.
(5)JP F.
I pretty much agree with the people who say the service is ghastly, and that kills the experience. The owner is a jerk and I will never give him money again. However, I would like to point out that the people who like this place are those so-called "foodies" who are easily impressed by such pedestrian dishes as fig stuffed french toast or salmon eggs benedict. They think that getting screamed at by this guy is an exotic experience because they've never experienced any hardship in their boring suburban existence. These are the same types of people who have Iron Chef/Top Chef "cook-offs" but fail to grasp the essence of a truly great dining experience, and yes, service plays a big part. You won't see any 3-star Michelin restaurants with rude servers.
(1)Jennifer S.
Love the layout of this place, and was really great when they started having dance parties on Saturday nights. Cover is reasonable, and this place gets pretty packed with people! The bartender was really nice, the drinks are reasonable, and I will definitely be going back.
(5)Nathan P.
3.5 stars. This is a solid breakfast place. Not fantastic, but it does not disappoint. The breakfast burrito is muy delicioso in particular. Be advised, however, their homefires are much closer to hash browns. They're sort of like griddled mashed potatoes. Still quite good, but c'mon folks, there is a difference.
(4)Lauren B.
I always get anxious when it's cold, there's a line out the door and I am consumed with hunger. This is escalated when it's a Sunday morning and I am half asleep. It adds insult to injury when I gaze into a restaurant and see people inside sipping out of coffee cups and devouring stacks of pancakes. Luckily, on this occasion, the line at Sound Bites moved quickly and we were only outside for a couple of minutes before we were seated at the bar. I hadn't been in here since it expanded. It's more upscale, but still the same premise: get your own drinks, enjoy your food (out in minutes!), eat very fast and please come back next week. Even though they kept coming around to clear my plate, I had enough time to enjoy my spinach and veggie omelet with home fries (more like mashed potatoes) and toast. Which is really what brunch is about.
(3)Deanna C.
This was my first time eating dinner at Sound Bites now that they have expanded to the restaurant next door and moved beyond brunch. OK menu, OK lamb kebobs, solid chicken tenders (but how can you really botch frozen chicken in a deep fryer?), the sweetest waitress, but kinda odd stench of dirty mop or something. Wasn't great, wasn't bad...fine for my week night sick-of-cooking-for-one lull. The flat screens were a plus, though, as well as their smallish selection of draft beers. It wasn't crowded at all, but what neighborhood place is on a Wednesday night?
(3)Olivia L.
Pros: French toast (all varieties) and waffles, flavored coffees, and fantastic sides. Cons: Eggs benedict (all kinds), the wait, and be prepared to share your table with other people. This used to be a Mexican restaurant, the kind with a biiiig bar, and they haven't really changed the decor. The owner isn't as gruff as she seems (ask her about the trip she won to Las Vegas for the SuperBowl, and she remembers regulars), but she doesn't keep a list for tables, just a line of people out the door. So if it's raining, and people are pushing to get in out of the wet, she usually remembers who came in when, but you might have to remind some of your fellow patrons (almost all uniformly college/grad students, or about that age) what constitutes common courtesy outside of the greater Boston area. On the food: If it's dipped in egg and put on a griddle, get it. The french toast, the stuffed french toast (try the goat cheese and pear), and the challah french toast are the best I've ever had. Period. The waffles are good too. I had one of the eggs benedict on a whim the first time I came here, and I would never get them again -- bad hollandaise + cold english muffin = yuck. All beverages (except the alcohol) are self-serve, which is a little hectic. But if you like your coffee half Snickerdoodle (cinnamon hazelnut) and half decaf the way I do, it works out. You can also get coffee as you're waiting -- they'll add it to your table when you sit down. Speaking of tables -- I've been here probably 10 times in a party of 2, and only had my own table once. Most times, we're at the bar, or at a shared table with other groups of 2 or 3.
(3)Meredith K.
I have been eating at Sound Bites for many years (maybe 8 or so?). There is ALWAYS a line, but the good thing is - it moves quickly. The bad thing is - when you do finally get to sit down - they take your order basically the second your butt hits the chair, they bring the check at the same time they put the food down for you, and they pour your coffee in a to-go cup when you finish your food. I'm not kidding. It's like ya thanks for eating here, but now get the hell out! Now that I know this - I don't even bother to put my self service coffee in a mug - I skip that step and go straight to the to-go cup. Food is decent. It's standard breakfast fare. Homefries are tasty and the french toast is pretty good (although not as good as S&S's french toast). Now that they have moved to the larger location seating isn't quite so tight anymore - which is good. I came here for dinner one night (they are now open for dinner) and it was completely awful. It was barely edible. Even my bf who is far less picky than me hated it. So I do NOT recommend this place for dinner, only brunch. The biggest negative for me about this place is the ongoing war between this owner and the guy that owns ball square breakfast. I don't give a flying hoot you guys hate each other! KEEP IT TO YOURSELVES!! No need to bring your customers into your heated, stupid, childish argument - be professional! Bitching to customers about how the other guy is this and that - is just rude and obnoxious. In fact I got so sick of listening to either owner I haven't eaten at either location in a few months hoping the stupid feud will blow over.
(3)Anna W.
I've been going to this place forever... ever since it was a cramped little 10-table restaurant with wooden chairs and a breakfast-Nazi staff that tried to rush you in and out as quickly as possible. If I had to give a rating based on that place, it probably wouldn't be as high. Standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for a half hour for a table on a weekend is not my idea of fun. Neither is being seated with complete strangers. However, ever since Sound Bites took over the former Guapo's next door and expanded, they have managed to grossly improve the interior without sacrificing speed of service or quality of food. Seriously, light years better than what they used to be! I've only ever had breakfast food here. Even if I come here after what can normally be deemed "breakfast hours", I will still order breakfast. You'd have to be an idiot to order anything else. The new digs is freshly painted, has nicer tables, and an ACTUAL BAR! I like the self-serve beverage system. It totally works for me. The "There's No Place Like Home" Fries are to-die-for! It is like mashed potatoes with a hard outside... a little hard to describe. You just have to try it, I guess. Personally, I think it's pretty hard to mess up breakfast food... hell, even I can cook up some eggs and pancakes if I had to. But, given the choice, I'd always pick Sound Bites over any other option! :-)
(5)Laura K.
I have gotten several friends hooked on this place. I used to drive from Quincy to come here with out of town guests. It can get a bit chaotic trying to grab your own coffee/drinks in the back, and the wait can be a deterrent, but the staff is wonderful, the food is the best breakfast food I've had since moving to Massachusetts from New York (where diner breakfasts take the cake!). The Fresh Fruit Bowl is to DIE FOR is you like fruit (I don't know how they get their fruit to be that rip and delicious every time). I once mentioned this to the owner, who gave me extra fruit in a to-go container to take home. It was so nice! Now I live on the North Shore and try and get here twice a month. It is hands down my favorite breakfast place!
(4)Chris K.
I've only been here for breakfast -everything I have eaten here has been pretty good. Smoked Salmon omelet is great, eggs benedict is great, stuffed french toast is awesome. Menu items are original, its nice to eat outside when its warm. Cons: serve yourself drink bar ( come on I feel like next time I go back I'll have to go up and get my food too) , you will never have the same person come to your table twice and they will make sure to get the food and the check on your table as soon as possible, as soon as possible. Turning tables is the number one priority here. It's a nice place every once in awhile but there are better places for breakfast.
(3)Kylie H.
My favorite brunch place !!!!!! They have the best omelettes ever, and that potato hash brown/home fry side.... it is amazing how do they make that potatoey deliciousness? I love that they offer bottled drink selections because I can get an odwalla or snapple instead of plain old OJ. The staff has always been very attentive and the owner is almost always there. Very nice environment, definitely worth the wait on weekends. I've tried their dinner selections and by far no where as good as their brunch.
(4)Alexis K.
long long wait but it is so worth it............ I have never had a bad meal here nor bad service. I would go again and again and again if I could.. please stay the same
(5)Samantha B.
So good! Just went here for the first time this past weekend after hearing many great reviews! My husband and I were hungry and in the area so we decided to try it out. Even on a Saturday morning - prime brunch time - we didn't have to wait at all for a table. The service was friendly and prompt. The food was great! I got the Ole omelette, which was really big and delish! The homefries were SO good - best I've had. Very soft, almost like mashed potatoes. I didn't get a fruit bowl but a neighboring table had one and it was also huge and looked so delicious! Would definitely recommend this spot for a delicious weekend breakfast!
(5)Kylie S.
This is a really solid breakfast cafe. I can't believe I'm only now trying it. My friend got the poached eggs and said they were just perfect, as well as a large luscious bowl of fresh fruit. I had scrambled eggs and veggie sausage. Our lattes were decent--not great but perfectly drinkable. They have outdoor tables. There wasn't a line. The staff is friendly. It's a casual and friendly place with a lot of bustle. I'm thinking this is my new breakfast restaurant of choice.
(5)Sweet T.
My boyfriend had been raving about the eggs benedict here and we finally got a chance to try it out yesterday, when his sister came to visit from NJ. We were seated immediately late on a Friday morning and given menus but no explanations as to what we were supposed to do about drinks... my boyfriend had to explain that you just get up and grab whatever you want, which was somewhat redeemed by the fact that I could have any coffee I wanted. I didn't mind getting up, but an explanation would have been nice! If you're a juice person, you should try the fresh OJ... pretty refreshing! Anyway, the four stars are strictly for the food. I thought the service had something left to be desired (our waiter was pretty short with us) and unfortunately, I'm not sure what the bill came out to... so I can't comment on any changes to price when I asked for an alternative to home fries or when my boyfriend asked for ham in his benedict with tomato and avocado and the waiter never mentioned that it might cost more. I ordered the omelette with mushrooms and boursain... the creamy cheese made it almost decadent (still good the next day)! The portions were also huge, enough that I had much more than half my omelette left. The fruit had a lot of variety and was pretty good overall, considering how much of it was out of season. I had a taste of the eggs benedict and it was really good with a nice hearty slice of Canadian bacon. The hollandaise had a very strong sour cream taste and a little spice to it that made it a little different. Give Sound Bites a chance if you like good breakfast food, and don't mind the service!
(4)Christalina W.
Went to Sound Bites for lunch, but ordered off the breakfast menu. Prices were definitely reasonable, and the food was served very quickly! I ordered the No Place Like Home Fries and the Chocolate Coconut pancakes. The home fries were pretty good, but nothing spectacular. They were bland to start, so I had to put extra salt on them. After that they were creamy and tasty, but I had had way better. The panckes were yummy, but definitely not the best I've ever had, and I'm surprised they were voted Boston's best. The middle of the panckes had a lot of chocolate and coconut, but the edgs were bare, and a bit hard. The pancakes were not that fluffy. Sound Bites has a fairly good breakfast at a reasonable price, but if you're looking to be "wowed" by the food, don't come here. I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Lara L.
I am really NOT understanding the bad reviews, it's as if they went to a totally different place. My friend and I have always been treated with nothing but respect and warm hospitality when we go in there, even on a Saturday or Sunday morning (yes, it can be packed, with a long line... and it can even feel a *bit* rushed, but not in a rude way). The owner recognizes us as people who have come in quite a few times... he calls me, "My friend" and always greets us with warmth. A couple of times he has even given us a gift card for a free entree to come for dinner (we have yet to try that, though) The food? SPECTACULAR. And the menu is NOT just your average bacon, eggs, pancakes deal (although they do have that too!). They have their own interesting takes on things, and the results are spectacular! My friend loves the Moroccan Eggs, and I've recently been a HUGE fan of the Ole Omelet. We get a complimentary plate of fresh (and I mean FRESH... DELICIOUS!) fruit while we're waiting. The coffee is GREAT. I couldn't finish my omelet the other day (HUGE portions!) so I had it boxed to take home... they did an EXCELLENT job of boxing it up for me-- obviously did not just throw it in the box and hand it back to me, as some places do. They even packed some plastic utensils and extra napkins for me. I honestly have to say that this place has the whole package- GREAT Food, Great variety, Decent prices, Awesome hospitality, and beautiful decor. Sound Bites is DEFINITELY a favorite.
(5)Sarah I.
This is my weekend breakfast spot. I never go anywhere else. It may look daunting when you walk up on a Saturday morning (around 11am) and see the line going past the block, but trust me, you will not wait long. Feel free to walk inside, get a cup of coffee, and bring it back out into the line. The owner is great at fitting different sized parties in as quickly as possible. The service inside is no different. You'll get your drinks and food quickly, and when you're ready to leave, there's no waiting around. While they're pretty quick about bringing your check and clearing your table when you're finished, if you're interested in having another cup of coffee and hanging out, they'll leave you be. The food is incredible. They definitely do breakfast right. Fruit here is always very, very fresh. The menu leaves nothing to be desired and has all the breakfast staples, plus some great omelet/bene variations. Also, if you're looking for a breakfast cocktail, they make some great ones. I've also been here for dinner a few times to watch games. They're great about putting the games on at the bar, but also have a big projection screen on the dining side that they'll use. Dinner food is tasty, but if you come in and just order beers all night, they might throw a complimentary plate of fruit your way before you leave. I understand the rivalry between Sound Bites and Ball Sq Cafe, but because I love this place so much, I've never even considered going next door.
(5)David D.
"Did you hear that?" "Yeah, they forgot to put her order in 25 minutes ago..." I'm not sure why this place is called 'Sound Bites'. The only sound bites I heard, were the complaints of other customers! And I added plenty! The seating was out of control. I think my friend and I were rushed to our seats by the owner's chunky 12 year-old son, but to our advantage, he skipped over a party of four that had been waiting a little longer. That's what happens when you put your kids to work, I guess. :( From where we were sitting, I could see a full bar, but no staff. I asked the owner if they were serving, or if we could at least get mimosas, and he said he'd make them. The mimosas tasted like a bottle of Andre splashed into a jug of Tang. :( Yuck-Yuck. While we waited for our food, I couldn't help but listen to other people complain, seriously! One woman was served 10 minutes before her friend, and she started to share her breakfast, and other people were complaining about forgotten items, etc. I could even hear the owner defending the staff to other customers, and explaining a story about someone who left their wallet behind, and tried to retrieve it while the restaurant was still in operation, and he couldn't give it back to them while people were eating? (It totally made no sense, and if that was YOUR wallet, the owner totally thought you were an asshole. :( ) Once our food arrived, the frowns were non-stop. My plate was covered in grease, and the home fries were actually mashed potatoes (you were totezZz right, Bonnie!) I'm sorry, but if you are going to call them home fries, the potato has to be in a diced form when it reaches the plate. These weren't a step above fucking whipped HASH BROWNS. Upon inspection of the greasy potato roll, I noticed what appeared to be a red hair. I put it up to my head and asked my friend if it looked like one of mine, and she confirmed that it was not. I asked if it was one of hers, because she has red hair, and she told me it was not. Then we both came to the conclusion that it was a thick fiber from a Brillo pad, and had a good laugh (while avoiding the rest of the home fries). The menu options seem fun, but they failed to thrill me. And the red metallic topping on my potato log did not score any bonus points. :( I STILL have no idea what the hell the name has to do with anything. When I heard the name Sound Bites, I thought of the Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, or some place where I'd hear The Clash while eating a pancake. I think I could hear Genesis playing in the background, but that may have been someone's ringtone (and I fucking HATE Genesis!) . I think there were a lot of Tufts students here, and that's a shame. You kids need to get on the T or shuttle bus, and get the hell out of there. :( (p.s. this place was recently remodeled!!! stop bitching at me or I'll make you eat here! Ewwww!)
(2)Jim B.
Sound Bites started to go a bit downhill recently so I go to Ball Square Cafe now. Tables are too close together, you get an ass in the face when the customers either side of you get up. It's like you're sitting at the same table as them, no privacy at all, so I end up not wanting to talk to who I am with. It's not relaxing, everything is go go go.
(2)Karen B.
What a horrible experience! We waited 20 minutes to get in-totally expected on a Sunday, of course. I only wish the wait had been worth it. We ordered quickly-my coat was barely off. I ordered an omelet which was delivered very quickly-but the eggs were tough-I wondered if they used some egg extenders. As soon as the food was delivered the bill was dropped off. Then the staff began badgering us-seriously-we ate in about 10 minutes which apparently was not fast enough. THEN-the owner came over and basically asked us to leave-pointing out the line outside. Well, since we were not able to finish our coffee, we went to the coffee refill area and filled VERY SMALL to go cups. The entire time the owner stood about 5 feet away harassing us. Two different waitresses came up an apologized! There are plenty of places to go to have a marginal breakfast. I would never recommend this to anyone-and we have been there a number of times before this. What a horrible person the owner is! No wonder the line next door is getting longer!
(1)K. T.
I rolled in for Sunday breakfast at 7 AM and we were the first to be seated. I had the eggs benny with hash and it was delicious. The eggs were poached perfectly, and the hollandaise sauce was seasoned well. My boyfriend had the scrambled egg breakfast with the toasted corn muffin, potatoes and canadian bacon--I have no complaints about anything on his dish. Our food was warm, served quickly and very satisfying, and we liked the self-service beverage station. The other reviews are less enthusiastic about the food, so maybe the quality declines as the restaurant gets busier. I'll be back again, next time for the award-winning french toast before weekend brunch rush hour!
(5)David B.
I have been going to Sound Bites for 11 years. I lived in Somerville in the early 2000's, and the place was across the street from me. So, I became a regular on the weekends. I still return when I can. I was there 2 weeks ago. I ordered the Swine & Swiss omelet. The food was very good, and the prices are quite reasonable. I have ordered the western omelet, swine and swiss, french toast, and the occasional pancakes over the years, and have always enjoyed the food. I love having the coffee be self serve because I can make it my own way, and get refills whenever I want. I have not found a lot of brunch places in Boston that I like since moving to Boston 16 years ago, but Sound Bites is one of them. Once you get to know Yasser and his personality, he is fun to talk to.
(5)Michele W.
I am a self-proclaimed breakfast lover. I have been to visit my sister, and it she always brings me here. the hospatality is awesome, and it is a rarity for the owner of any establishment to come up and talk to thier patrons. the self-serve drink bar is a excellent idea for a place this busy. being from california, i thought that some of thier mexican-inspired breakfast entrees would be bad, but they were very very tasty and excellent and pretty accruate on how they should taste (i have been warned about the "mexican" food on the east coast. long story short: busy place, great peole, awesome food, and excellent prices/.
(4)Josh S.
The quality of food here is amazing, considering a pretty substantial menu. One of the best places to get breakfast in Boston. I'm always astounded by the fruit bowl - so much variety and so fresh. One downside is that a seat at Soundbites is in such high demand, the wait can be long and the staff (understandably) rushes you out once you get your check.
(4)Liz B.
Eh. I wasn't wowed. After reading the reviews of the place I was expecting something really great, but it really just hovered somewhere around average. Would go with 2.5 if there was the option. Big points for a very fast moving line. I think we waited all of 10 minutes at 11:30 on a Sunday. Food was mediocre. I ordered eggs over easy that came out over hard and covered in butter, with turkey sausage (bonus points for sausage options) and the boy had blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs. Didn't end up eating the eggs and couldn't get a server's attention to see if I could get a different set (I have a huge aversion to cooked egg yoke). The scrambled eggs came out very dry as well but that happens to be how he likes his eggs. The pancakes had a lot of fruit in them but the pancake itself was really dry and kind of chewy. Wasn't really a fan of the "homefries." Breakfast for me is an excuse to eat a whole heck of a lot of ketchup and skillet fried mashed potatoes isn't really a great ketchup conduit. Wasn't great, wasn't terrible, but I think I'll give Ball Square Cafe next door a try before heading here again.
(3)Lu B.
I go here on weekends all the time; and I never have to wait in a line. Maybe I'm just always ahead of the crowds as I also find it impossible to to sleep past eight even on weekends. I've arrived as late as 11:00 or so on a Sunday and still not had to stand in line. Don't fear the line, if you're an early riser like me. I'm not sure that anything else I have to say about the place will add to the reviews already here. The food is awesome. The homefries aren't homefries, but some version of fried mashed potatoes. When you order anything with fruit you will get about two cups of all kinds of fruit, mango, papaya, whole strawberries, kiwi. I almost always order the challah french toast with fruit for this very reason. Yes, you have to pour your own coffee and yes when it gets crowded they will do everything within their power to turn your table quickly. Sometimes you might be lucky enough to witness a minor family skirmish going on between staff members. Personally, I think all of the above only contribute to this places charm.
(5)Gwen F.
Great food, but ten minutes into breakfast, our server (the owner?) was telling us that we had to hurry up, finish our food, and get out. Yes there was a line out the door (in which I dutifully waited for a half hour earlier), but was I supposed to shovel my unsuspecting bagel into my mouth, choke it down and say thanks? I honestly think the dude wanted me to stuff my hash browns in my pocket (a la Napoleon Dynamite) to eat them later. Geez Soundbites, sorry I eat too slowly for your tastes. I haven't been back since, and I do tell my friends about my experience.
(1)Lea L.
Our favorite sit-down breakfast place in Boston. We have to limit ourselves to Sounds Bites only once a month to avoid calorie overload. Absolutely love the food -- our favorites are the various combos like boston best blue, eggs benny, broadway bowl, stuffed french toast, and boyfriend really likes the corned beef hash. Always great service, even with the longest lines we're seated quickly, always willing to accommodate our needs (I hurt my back once and they immediately let us switch tables to a more comfortable seat), wonderful coffee, and of course my number one concern: excellent food.
(5)Amanda L.
Soundbites is always dependably good. Their food is fresh, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxed. It's especially nice in the spring/summer when the big windows are open to the street. I try to come here at "off" times, like weekdays or later on the weekends, because the line for Saturday and Sunday morning brunch can be out of control. But, it's worth the wait if you do go during peak times. The omelettes are great, as is the stuffed french toast. Fruit is always fresh and so is the coffee. My husband says it's awesome for lunch, too -- next, I'm going to try it for dinner. I'll report back on my findings!
(4)kirby c.
I went for breakfast on a weekday. No lines. No crowds. No problem getting an awesome table by the window. I ordered the Wonder Waffle with a side of bacon. Probably one of the best waffle I've ever had. Nice golden color and very nice malt flavor. I was very satisfied with my dish. Beverages are self serve so that was great not having to wait for someone to refill my coffee or juice. This will be my standard order from now on. Just a great place on the weekday. I hear that the lines are crazy during the weekends.
(5)Andrew K.
If you're a late twenty something or in your early thirties and have been hanging around Somerville for any length of time you will run into someone you know at Sound Bites - an ex, an old co-worker, that tattooed buddy holly glasses hipster your best friend's ex was secretly in love with - they're all there. Oh yeah, and they have great mashed potato homefries. Those are ridiculously good. Another reviewer described them as garlic-y. There's something else, though, I think maybe a hint of ranch or something. Either way they're worth the wait in line. The omlettes are excellent and offer a wide variety of creative fillings. Their eggs have been done just right each time I've gone and the toast, is well, toast, nothing special nothing bad, though. Their alcoholic drinks are fairly strong. Their coffee is self-serve, which is I understand, a nuisance to some, since your morning joe no involves a stutter step, spin moves, and a sideways shuffle to make it back to your table. It isn't even that great a cup of coffee either. Everything else they do related to breakfast more than makes up for it. Yes, they're insanely busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Deal with it. At times, there are some grouchy staff and mistakes happen; welcome to living in a city. I honestly don't get what some of these complaints are about. Put on your big kids pants and go to breakfast. Or stay home, I'm sure Sound Bites will be fine without all you weak, whine-y would-be patrons. If you're ready for a great breakfast amidst some controlled chaos and the chance to awkwardly run into an ex, or do some hipster mocking go to Sound Bites.
(4)Steph D.
My first PURELY YELP RECOMMENDED restaurant. It fully lived up to the Hizzype. Highlights: Chocolate Coconut Pancakes and DRIP COFFEE BAR! Totally worth the Sunday drive. It was pure goodness in every damn bite.
(5)D M.
I dunno how it's possible that I hadn't ever been here before yesterday, but I got schooled in breakfast dining by Barbara Ann when she brought me to Sound Bites yesterday. We went relatively early (for a Sunday) and were in and out before 11:30 AM, which was great because while it was a little busy, we still missed the brunch rush, which we saw on our way out. We got to sit outside, which was fantastic with the nice weather, and hit the coffee bar for some tasty beverages, then ordered right away. I ordered the tomato and avocado eggs benedict, which ended up being out of control awesome. Barbara Ann got the pear and goat cheese stuff french toast-also AWESOME. A word to the wise: if you're expecting standard home fries/hash browns, you may want to order something else. The "hash browns" here are fried mashed potatoes, which are really good, but not the standard. Barbara Ann ordered a fruit cup, which is absolutely the best fruit cup I've seen. It was filled with mango, papaya, kiwi, apples, pears, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries. Clearly a fresh, seasonal fruit cup, which is always a treat. The service was lovely and very fast, and Barbara Ann got a kiss on the cheek first thing on a Sunday morning from not one of her adorable children, but the nice owner. I will definitely be coming back here again. It's cheap, friendly, fast and tasty. I need to check out Ball Square more often!
(5)Emily D.
I'm not totally sure why this place has such a great reputation. I came for brunch on the weekend and it was packed with a line out the door. The service was rude, slow, and unhelpful (and I'm not too stuck-up about that kind of stuff). Maybe the best dishes are the sweet things, but I had an omelet and it wasn't at all memorable.
(2)Lisa C.
This place was abso-freakin-fantastic! I'd heard of the extremely long lines, but fortunately when we got there (around 10:30 AM on a weekend) there were only two people ahead of us. We were seated quickly and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the menu since it seemed so small. But man, can they pack a lot into those little two pages. I opted for the "elegant eggs benedict" which weren't any more elegant than any other eggs benedict I've had. However, they came with "home fries." This is a total misnomer as their home fries are actually fried mashed potatoes, which were totally delicious. The eggs benedict had a bit of a spicy kick to them. While it was totally unexpected, it was also really delicious. The person I was with IMPLORED me to try the corn muffin, which had been cut open and either toasted or grilled. I didn't think it possible, but whatever their technique they have certainly elevated the lowly corn muffin to some new extravagant status. The decor was nice, as was the service. While I didn't have anything to drink, I like the notion of a self-serve beverage bar.
(5)Marilyn T.
Parking on nearby streets wasn't too bad, and despite the long line outside, 2 of us made it in within about 15 minutes on a Sunday for brunch. I've heard bad things about the service, but we encountered no problems on the day we were there. It wasn't amazing service, but it's a breakfast place - we never felt rushed despite the huge line outside, and they were pretty courteous. The omelette was a bit greasy, but then again, it's a diner. The hash browns are amazing - like fried mashed potatoes - crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside - so satisfying. The standout dish was the stuffed french toast. I'm not usually a fan of french toast, but the combination of the sweet pear and the creamy/strong goat cheese really went well together. The menu offers a pretty big selection and variations on omelettes, but make sure you get the hash browns with whatever you order. Don't be intimidated by the lines outside - it's worth the wait to try at least once.
(4)Michele G.
Super loud, people packed in sardines, undercooked pancakes and eggs, indifferent service. I've had it with Ball Square. Sorry, but I was really wanting you to be excellent after our rude experience next door, but you were sadly meh.
(2)Ashla D.
4 stars for the fresh squeezed Orange Juice! And food came out lightning fast! Brunch was good...had pancakes, eggs, home-fries. All decent. The wait staff was friendly and accommodating to my parties requests for things not featured on the brunch menu. :) They also have a great wrap with avocado that my friend raves about!
(4)Jennifer P.
Home fries are 4 stars for me- more like well-seasoned mashed potatoes with a crispy outer covering. But the artichoke heart tomato omelette was ok. The tomato was a little raw, and the whole thing could have had more flavor. I had to add alot of salt. They really try to rush you out so it's not a very relaxing brunch. I had to ask them to fill my water and after I took a sip, they started busing it away. Cool groovy atmosphere but not enough time to enjoy it.
(3)Karen N.
We went after noon on a Sunday and there was still a line out the door...I always take this as a sign that the place must be good. It totally was! I got the Ole Omelette, and it was fabulous (and fabulously large...totally only made it halfway through before giving up due to an uncomfortably full stomach). It came with some fried potatoes (I don't know if they claim they were hash browns or not, but they were like fried mashed potatoes--new concept for me, but delicious) and a fried corn muffin. One of my companions got the strawberry-chocolate pancakes, which were a little lacking on the strawberry front, though they were covered in lots of delicious-looking fruit (the check was really funny cuz they diagrammed fruit on top of the pancakes, like the chef needed a picture or something). Lots of things on the menu looked good.
(4)mama s.
Its been two years since I moved away from Sommerville and I still crave Sound Bites. I've been tempted quite a few times to find a flight and catch a cab straight to this place. Why? Perhaps it is nostalgia but their food was really that good. Not only that the staff (including the owner) were always welcoming, remembered us and made us feel right at home. Prices are average for breakfast... and since they took over the wings place across the street I developed a serious Sound Bites habit... probably because I lived a block away. Yes, the drinks are self-service. Yes, you have to wait outside in the cold. Yes, their homefries are scrumptious. Yes, one day I will be back in Mass and have breakfast there again (sigh).
(4)Nat S.
Sept. '07 Update: What is up with that crappy sign on the new location. Does Building 19 sell ugly giant black plastic letters? Nice orange extension cord coming out of the window to power the sign lights! Yasser gets plenty of money from the Ball Square/Tufts community. He shouldn't make his patrons look at that PoS. I am taking another star away because of the crappy sign I have to see everyday. Not a fan. I have been eating there periodically since before Yasser bought it and now every other restaurant in Ball Sq. The food used to be much better. I would travel elsewhere for breakfast. The fruit plate is really good though. The new location where El Guapo was doesn't change matters. The new dinner menu looks boring and expensive, given that it is pasta from Sound Bites. The new Ball Square Breakfast opening next door should mix it up a little. I go to Kelly's or the Broken Yolk when I hanker some eggs. I go to True Grounds for everything else in the morning.
(1)Dana H.
After relocating from San Francisco and searching high and low for a brunch staple, I discover Soundbites. Delicious pancakes, delightful owner. We go with our baby and they are always accomodating. Yes, it does get packed on the weekend, but the wait has never been more than 10-15 minutes for us.
(5)Adam H.
Other reviewers here will mention the upsides to Soundbites. Feel free to enjoy their reviews. However, it can't be sufficiently stressed that management treats customers like trash. I've seen waiters try to snatch plates from people who clearly weren't done eating. This happened to me and my friends, and after we left, the (owner?) chased us out of the restaurant and shouted at us, telling us never to come back... because we'd taken a whopping 45 minutes from the moment we were seated until the time we left. In my opinion, they deserve a one-star rating or two.
(1)Aisling K.
I wanted to take an out-of-town guest to Ball Square Cafe, but we decided the line was too long so we went to Soundbites instead. This was a mistake. The food was extremely mediocre - my banana blueberry pancakes were quite average, and one of them was still gooey in the middle. (Certainly not "Boston's Best Pancakes", as they claim to have been awarded.) My meal and my friend's meal were served at different times (something I noticed happening at a lot of tables), and the service was below average. Wait for Ball Square Cafe - the food is fantastic, and the service is much more pleasant despite the rush.
(2)Jennifer W.
I almost gave this place 4 stars because of the "No Place Like Home" Fries that are amazing! With that said, I think Soundbites is a bit overrated. It is a good breakfast place with fun choices, but the wait is usually painful. It is no where near the best breakfast I have ever had, but everyone seems to adore it. If you go, go during the week or very early on the weekend. Otherwise, the line is down the block.
(3)Rebecca C.
I love Sound Bites. My first love was their breakfast, of course. My favorites are the 2 cubed royal, which includes pancakes (I get strawberry chocolate), eggs any style, breakfast meat and bagel or toast. Other faves: challah French toast with piles of fruit on top (including papaya, mango and kiwi alongside apples, oranges, etc.). Another fave: the grilled homemade muffins. Anyway, I could go on and on. The point is- the breakfast is great, and Yasser is a friendly and attentive owner. I'm so happy for him and his team that they have been able to expand. Stopped by for dessert and tea the other night and the dinner menu looked really good- can't wait to try it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(5)Steven L.
We have been coming to Sound Bites for over ten years, and love the great food, good prices, and friendly service. We love the multigrain waffle with fresh fruit and whipped cream (the fruit is always fresh) and the Ole omelette, done just right with salsa, beans and onions. They do urge you not to dawdle over your coffee, but this makes sense -- otherwise the wait would be hours long. Once we arrived to find they were on vacation, tried another local establishment, and resolved not to do that again. A great meal every time!
(5)Fazle K.
This place is very over rated. The food is OK, the service is terrible, and the espresso drinks are awful. There are plenty of very good breakfast/brunch places in the Cambridge/Somerville area there is no reason to patronize them. In addition there is a story circulating that before they took over El Gupo's space Sound Bite's owner tried to force out the Blue Cloud Gallery next door - locally owned an operated independent boutique specializing in Somerville artists. Definitely not a good neighborhood restaurant.
(1)R.K. B.
I've abeen to Sound Bites on numerous occasions and had great exeriences. These have always been on weekdays. The food has been great - Tuscan omlet and Triple Berry pancakes are outstanding. Yesterday I went on a Sunday for the first time and had a completely different experience. It was very crowded as I expected it to be. There were four of us, we waited, got a table and ordered our foor. The waitress was very nice - no problem. The food on the other hand was not at all up to standards. The omlets were so-so, the pancakes were awful - dry and heavy. The batter had not been mixed through so there were also bits of flour. Not good. The staff hovered over the table and kept trying to take the plates away while we were still eating. When we got a second cup of coffee the owner/manager came up and said we could get a to go cup and take it out or if we wanted to drink it there we had five minutes. It was crowded (and very loud) but we were not there an unusually long time and I felt that this was extremely rude and unprofessional. After this experience I would not recommend going on a weekend, although I might try it again on a weekday.
(2)Mina I.
I have heard the hype.. and I am feeding into it. I think this is an awesome place to go have breakfast with friends. The line is LONG but worth the wait on the weekend.. Most the people in line have been there and are glad to give you yummy suggestions and the staff are awesome in giving recommendations too. Is is a little crowded so be willing to bob and weave your way to the self serve coffee. Feel free to come as you are, you'll fit right in and have a great breakfast (-:
(5)Liza M.
love this place. don't even mind waiting in the long line since you can get your coffee and drink while waiting!!! I miss the smaller location though, it was part of the experience. the stuffed french toast, pancakes and omelets are great and the no place like home fries!!!
(4)Caroline W.
I love Sound Bites. The traditional menu items and the fancier ones (hello, goat cheese and pear stuffed french toast) are all great. I dream about their home fries (which are more like grilled mashed potatoes). Mmmm.
(5)Pete P.
its just not the same as it used to be. the service is much different. i feel like the staff is lax in the new place. the food is still really good though. that hash with the peppers in it is phenomenal and the "homefries" are still a nice change from every other place in boston. i will hit it up tomorrow and see if it has improved at all but in the new local it is just another breakfast place.
(3)sarah t.
always awesome, but now totally different with the new decor, etc. homefries A+ veggie sausage - crispy and delicious anything benedict is so good... everything on the menu is awesome coffee, tea and water are self serve, snaps. the staff is friendly and they do things their own way at this spot... which makes you always want to go back.
(5)Scott F.
Very overrated. To think that someone would wait in line for an hour (as almost everybody must) to eat the unremarkable food is very strange to me. Go down the street to The Broken Yolk or head to Tasty Gourmet on the far side of the Tufts' campus. Both offer better food, less attitude, and less crowd.
(2)Heidi C.
I need to start this review by saying that I've yet to actually go into Sound Bites and sit down for breakfast/brunch. As this is their "claim to fame", I have nothing bad to say about it. I actually look forward to being able to try them out, now that we live in Winter Hill. However, Soundbites BBQ and Grill (also known as On Broadway I believe), which is their off-shoot that does take-out/delivery food leaves a lot to be desired. When they first opened, they were one of the better places in Somerville, especially for wings. However, the food has gone down hill. Most recently, we ordered a salad, garlic bread and two entrees (chicken tenders and a chicken parm sub). The garlic bread was literally burned on the edges and so dry it was inedible. The chicken was overcooked with a very rubbery texture that made it difficult to enjoy in either entree. The salad was reasonably fresh with a tasty blue cheese dressing (one of the only reasons they get two stars instead of one). In this case, I think sticking to what Sound Bites is known for (eat-in breakfast or brunch) is your best bet! Delivery and take out just isn't their forte.
(2)Lindsey W.
Yummy cheap breakfast food. They cooked my eggs juuusst right. Great if you live in the area but not worth a long trip.
(4)suzie q.
I love, love, love this place. BEST pancakes in the city hands down. I can overlook the odd service in lieu of the food. Breakfast is so good and I really like the atmosphere for what it is. After a night out, it is just what the body needs.
(4)Kat L.
I used to be a fan of Sound Bites, but I'm just not feeling the love anymore. I was lucky to be one of the people the owner liked, but I have seen him act over the top with other patrons. It's unfortunate because they do have some great breakfast dishes. The owner aside - the reason I'm taking a pass on this restaurant is the service has taken a serious nose dive since they expanded their space. It seems like they tripled their space but never expanded the staff or kitchen. You have to wait outside forever to get in, and then wait forever for your order to be taken, for your food to arrive....it's just not worth it anymore. Also they really need to get rid of the self serve coffee area. It's far too cramped and completely inconvenient for the space. I have to jockey for the milk with five other people in a space meant for two. How hard would it be to just have the waiters serve the coffee?
(2)Josh C.
I love breakfast at soundbite. One issue concern me is the cleanliness of the place. I just doubt it when sitting and looking around all furniture and fixtures in the cafe. All tables are close and very crowded. Well, I am there for breakfast, not people watching..ok.... Pancake is great. Coffee choice are good. Just don't go in winter, especially after 830am on the weekend. It is just brutal waiting outside in cold. Park on main st. only if you don't want to get parking ticket.
(4)al e c.
how on earth have i not written a review for Sound Bites yet? the lines for Sound Bites are a little nuts so if you have a party of 4 or more, get there early. on the good side, you can drink all the coffee you want while you wait to get in. if you are waiting, however, don't keep the door open. when it is your turn to sit down, you will want to enjoy your meal sans chilly breeze so please do not subject me to an open door or i will get up and scold you for it. that said, the food is delicious and creative and the service is fast. the coffee is better than any breakfast place around and better even than some coffee shops. i love the owner and staff here, too. no one is going to hold your hand here--they know that their food is great and that a lot of people are waiting for your seat. but they are funny and cool. yasir, the owner, is one of my favorite people in somerville. he may seem standoffish at first, but if you take the time to chat with him he's hilarious and really sweet. anyway, go here. leave time for the wait to get in, but once you sit down you will not be disappointed.
(5)Daniel S.
I don't know, y'all. First visit did not live up to the hype. I sampled the supposed house special, Morroccan breakfast. Apparently, in Morrocco one shows hospitality by sprinkling huge dashes of cumin over a plate of eggs, tomatoes and green pepper. Either that or they lost the sifter cap on their spice bottle. I did feel the post-thanksgiving mashed potato style homefrries, but generally, I was underwhelmed.
(3)Elizabeth D.
I am so appalled with the service of the owner in my experience with this restaurant, that I have decided to boycott this restaurant. I heard such wonderful things about this restaurant, and so I waited in line on a rainy Sunday for a delicious breakfast. While waiting, I decided to grab a cup of coffee from across the street. Once inside the restaurant, the owner yelled at me in front of the entire restaurant to hide my coffee under the table because he hated the people who own the coffee shop across the street. His behavior was unprofessional and disrespectful. In fact, he made me cry. I have never experienced such hostility from someone who is trying to attract my business. Had he kindly stated that he didn't support the business across the street, I might have been more inclined to put my coffee away and try his own. Anyone with that much hostility over a cup of coffee brought into his restaurant from the outside has some serious issues. Rather than reverting to yelling back and defending myself, I just sat there and ate my breakfast. It was just okay, and certainly didn't deserve the praise it had been given by so many other people. I am now boycotting Sound Bites due to such rude and unnecessary treatment. The dining experience is not just about the food but the service as well, and this particular owner needs some lessons in manners, and should know better than to yell at a lady.
(1)Geetika A.
i dont get it. we went for brunch. The food here is NOT even worth it if there wasn't a long line in the COLD and gruff service. for me, food makes a place, service can add to it or on a rare occasion make up slightly for food, but yah this didnt have either. I had stuffed french toast with pears and goat cheese which sounded exciting....but it was just blah. the french toast was mediocre (id had much better two days before at rosebuds) my friends apple cinnamon pancakes, scambled eggs, and homefries which I also tried in hopes to redeem my disappointment...were all underwhelming as well. Even my other friends egg bagel sandwich was sub par (arent you east coasters suppose to know how to make bagels?) the only thing I thought stood out was the grilled blueberry muffin,. it was actually delicious. so if you must go, get that.
(2)Adrienne B.
Its true what they've all already said- you gotta order fast, eat fast, pay fast, and hightail it out of there when you're done. However, the fact that it has this reputation makes it fun. I love taking vistors here on Saturday mornings, they always want to go back and ask about it. I've been on a Tuesday Am which is great because its much more low key and the owner isn't as crazed so he's funny and nice. I think once you get on his good side you're in which is something to strive for! I overheard him talking about how he bought Wing Zings across the street and that he bought empty space next to it and in a year he'll be over there with 50!!! tables... I'm sure the atmosphere won't change but hey at least there will be more tables!
(4)Huan z.
long line, but very cheap and good food. You have to serve tea for your self. it's a tiny space with so many tables and people in the restaurant.
(3)Naomi b.
It's alright. It has a certain charm, certainly, but the weekend brunch scene is not pleasant. Too rushed and crowded and in the winter, the wait outside is painful, even with coffee in hand. Weekdays are much better, though I've managed to get there during the week a few times. I also don't think the food is anything to write home about. It's good, nothing spectacular. The price is right though.
(3)Ellie L.
A few summers ago at Soundbites, I was pulling that "I'll pretend I'm not hungry & stare at the wall plaintively" movethat one sometimes feels compelled to do when with one's mother. Trying my best to ignore the waiters rushing by with plates of fluffy/fruity french toast and chock-full-o-good-stuff omelettes, I finally snapped to attention when Mr. Soundbites himself rushed officiously over to our tense table. Known for his 'soup nazi' style, the guy's had me trembling since i was a freshman at Tufts, but that day, he merely pulled up a chair, gave me a puppy dog look, and made me laugh with stories about him and his mom until i threw in the Sulky Towel and ordered my favorite, Moroccan Eggs (spicy and delicious!). As if I didn't already think Soundbites was the best breakfast in the Boston area...
(5)Karen K.
Oh how I miss your fruit salad-covered-french toast and being told to take my coffee to go. I'm too lazy to drive to Davis on a weekend morning. But I miss you. I may have to move back.
(5)erin e.
The ONLY thing keeping me from giving this place a full five stars is the fact that there are literally signs on the walls telling you that your table is a hot commodity, so you better chow and get out. Otherwise, this place ROCKS and there is a very good reason that you have to wait in line for a LONG time on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The funny guy who owns it is a huge plus too. I enjoy patronizing the establishments of those I find quirky.
(4)Walt Z.
Rather love it from the times I have gone. The eggs benedict I thought were very good, and soon, they will be moving next door, and I overheard that there is a liquor license, which I believe means new hours, but I wouldn't want to overstate what could happen. I will be making this a regular stop for breakfast and the paper on my days off, from now on.
(5)Kate S.
Eh. Soundbites is pretty good standard breakfast food, but I fail to see what is so special about it. The coffee while you are waiting in line is awesome, but geesh - who wants to wait in line for 45 minutes for pancakes - good pancakes even. It takes maybe 20 minutes to whip up a batch for myself. The one exception to my being generally unimpressed is that they offer breakfast delivery(!) on weekdays. Too bad I'm no longer a student who wakes up hungover on Tuesday mornings - but I would've loved breakfast delivery back in the day.
(3)Michael K.
Best breakfast I have had in Medford/Somerville area hands down. I had whole grain pancakes which were good (maybe I might get normal pancakes next time, though). Also had granola with fruit and yogurt (delicious) and a side of bacon (legit). Every other dish I saw looked excellent as well. Also, get the fresh squeezed oj, you won't regret it.
(5)Paige W.
On a Sunday at 11am, my party of 4 only had a 7ish minute wait time to be seated. The self serve coffee bar is such a smart concept and there is a good variety of options (from tea, iced or hot coffee, flavorings, etc). Our server was very friendly, cracked a lot if jokes, and made us feel taken care of... I think he may have been management. The food we ordered didn't take long to come out, but our server promptly brought out two little complimentary plates of fresh fruit. Delightful! I ordered a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs (because I'm probably a child), bacon, and blueberry pancakes. If that wasn't enough, it came with toast! Everything was truly delicious. A ton of food for $12. I'll be back. TLDR: Friendly, quick service. Delicious food. Great price.
(5)Gonen M.
Compared to the chaotic environment and the crowd in Ball Square breakfast, Sound Bites offers a more relaxed and friendly environment. I like that you get your own coffee/tea/juice from the dedicated counter, and you don't have to wait for someone to bring it to you. I wish all the brunch places had the same option. I was in the mood for something light, so I got the fruits and yogurt. The fruit plate had all kinds of fruits that I have seen in my life so far in it. And it was gigantic.
(4)Liz M.
We had intended to go to the place next door, but the line there was miles long so these guys took us in right away as we didn't mind being seated at the bar - next to a cute guy I might add... who did not notice two beautiful single women seated near him because he was too busy being "social" on his phone... -_- But I digress... I can't remember what my meal was called but it was basically bacon, scrambled eggs, and french toast. Standard stuff but the bread they used for the french toast was soo tasty. There was a subtle sweetness to it, I pretty much didn't need syrup. I still think about it, so that is a very good sign! The bacon was a good combo of crispy and chewy and the eggs were cooked nicely. I don't remember having to wait very long for anything. The coffee and juice were self-serve, and I'm not a huge fan of that situation. I would've liked at least coffee served at the table, just to save myself from being scared out of my wits while walking back with it because I'm frickin' clumsy and there's quite a crowd in there. I intended to grab an oj but when I got back with it it tasted like it was an oj/something else combo. I probably should have looked more carefully, but was getting over the coffee-gauntlet trauma... I would definitely go back, who doesn't love a good breakfast? Maybe phone-guy is still sitting there and I'll have him get me coffee if he ever looks up...
(4)Nikki C.
We got here at a good time...just before the breakfast rush on a Saturday morning! It's rather small inside and has a self-serve beverage system. You order your beverage and you get up and get it yourself. Water, too! The only thing your server brings is your food and your bill. I ordered the french toast. 2 slices of french toast w/bacon. One of my slices was the END PIECE. Who serves the end piece?? Because of that, it was smaller than the normal slice of bread. I had one and a half pieces of french toast. Smh. I didn't like that at all but I didn't complain. My friend ordered a stack of 3 pancakes w/scrambled eggs and bacon. He had no complaints and it looked great.
(3)Dan R.
Always question myself when giving a 5 but, all in all, nothing good have been better. We got seated within 5 minutes, late morning on a Sunday, with the nearby Tufts back in session. Place next door had long lines and waits, lots of people on the street. Got a window table. Huge menu with a wide variety including a couple North African flavors. Hard to make a choice, went for the corn beef hash which was tasty if a little dry, but more distinct and less mysterious than many hashes. The food came quickly. One friend had a beautiful waffle, going halfsies with the banana and apple toppings; another.s mushroom, cheese & spinach omelet looked and tasted great. To help their efficiency most beverages are self serve.
(5)Tammy G.
We were recommended to this location as a great local breakfast spot by our air b&b host, and he was spot on! We liked the self serve water and coffee station. The space is roomy and the staff is friendly. I tried the signature dish of DELICIOUS Portuguese eggs. This was a new dish for me but something very similar to the way I naturally cook at home. Who knew I was so clever? my son had the spinach and feta eggs Benedict and my spouse had the traditional eggs Benedict. Both found their meals to be perfect. We all really enjoyed the home fries done much differently than we are accustomed to out on the West Coast. In appearance they look to be more like a potato cake. One thing is absolutely certain. If we were locals we would have a booth and everyone would know our name.
(5)Catherine R.
They have my pumpkin spice coffee, my favorite yum yum! Instead waiting for dunkin donuts in winter! You help yourself w/ the coffees & even you can take it home if you want too! I love lox on the bagel(salmon sandwich w/ cream cheese delicious!) here & they cook real fresh corn beef hash! It's like it's not out if a can, they cook it fresh corn beef! The service is very good & the food is expensive! I'm very impressed, I'm sold!
(4)Matthew R.
Sound Bites is quite simply the best...freshest ingredients, authentic menu, fun fun atmosphere, and Yasser and his team are wonderful hosts...every time!
(5)Naira Q.
Average quality "Mediterranean" food. I got the chicken kebab roll up. Which was basically unseasoned grilled chicken wrapped with hummus and avocados. The sweet potatoes fries and home fries were pretty good. My sister got the Cobb salad which she said was average. Wait staff was friendly.
(3)Eileen H.
I admit I arbitrarily picked Team Sound Bites in the Sound Bites vs. Ball Square rivalry, but Sound Bites has kept my loyalty for almost 10 years. Even when there's a long line to get in, the line moves quickly and the service is fast inside. The fruit bowl here is amazing -- huge variety of fruits and super fresh. Pro tip: if you can't decide between savory and sweet breakfast foods, get the 2^3 Royale and substitute fruit for the side of toast (currently $2/substitution).
(5)Jules K.
I tried soundbites again reluctantly but I am so glad I did it was a totally different experience the service was great and the food was awesome I'll be back... I got an omelette and home fries.. Both were delicious
(5)Nicole B.
I feel like I should give Sound Bites a second chance, but that's really based on my deep love of breakfast food. I came here with a friend on a crowded Sunday morning, and to my surprise, despite the line snaking out the door, we were seated almost immediately. For two people, the line moves quick. If you have more than that, you may have to wait. The coffee and water are self-service, and waiters come around for your order. The menu is very large, with an entire page devoted to omelettes and another to sweeter breakfast foods. I tried the french toast with strawberries and banana. Here's where the 3 stars comes in: the french toast was cooked fine but was drowning in a watery strawberry type syrup. Long story short: the fruit had been improperly cooked for a dish like this, and it was just warm and slightly sweet, not the confection, syrup masterpiece usually found on french toast. Worse still was that the meal tasted like a griddle top -- got hints of sausage, egg and pepper tastes on my french toast. My friend had the eggs and a side of veggie sausage, which I sampled and must say is the most convincing veggie sausage I've ever had. The owner was nice and friendly and the service was good for a crowded, cramped type place. I'm only disappointed in my french toast, so will give them another try and update you Yelpers then!
(3)Xtine M.
First off, this place is a trap. I really wanted to try Ball Sq Cafe next door but there was such a long line that we decided to go next door to Sound Bites. Big mistake, no wonder there was no line there! Our food was just mediocre and the fact that we spent $3 on a cup of coffee that we had to serve ourselves was ridiculous. The food is overpriced despite the fact that quality doesn't appear to be their main focus. The bacon had a weird artificial taste to it, definitely the worst bacon that I've ever tasted. They seem like they want to get as many people in and out of there as quickly as possible. Next time, I'll just deal with the line at Ball Sq Cafe.
(2)Lauren S.
So delicious! We didn't even have to wait in a long line which was apparently unusual for the place (says my Bostonian friend). I had banana chocolate chip pancakes with eggs, bacon, toast, and my friend and I split a fruit bowl Everything was really great plus the service was fast for how crowded the place was! I loved the atmosphere of Sound Bites. It felt cozy and the staff were all very nice. Next time I'm visiting my Bostonian friend, I will be going back to Sound Bites!
(5)Andrew W.
Great breakfast food. The Broadway bowl is definitely the best call. The delivery is also worth it.
(5)Andrew S.
But who is pancakes? You order mango & Banana pancakes and what you receive is 3 plain pancakes and Banana/Mango slices. Not ideal, yet not that expensive but that was pretty disappointing. Wasn't wanting to perform surgery on my food this morning, but it had to happen. The waitstaff was pretty attentive. Almost too attentive because at times we had 4 people one after another ask if we were ready to order. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food though. They also heavily advertise coming in and grabbing a coffee and not having to pay for it. Then it appears on your bill. I think I'd go back, wouldn't get the pancakes though, next time I'd say BYOB for the Irish Coffees.
(2)Jade B.
After living right up the street, I finally tried Sound Bites yesterday. It was pretty packed for 11am on a Thursday morning. My boyfriend and I both ordered bloody mary's. Not the best, but not bad. I was blown away when our plates came, though! Boyfriend had a mexican omelette. It was huge, with a bagel and home fries. It took me forever to decide what I wanted, but I went with the tomato, basil, scallion omelette with pepperjack cheese. It was HUGE. I didn't even finish the omelette, took two bites of the home fries, and didn't even touch my toast and I was stuffed. Everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. I'd give them 5 starts, but service was slightly slow, and the prices were a little high (but worth it for a filling breakfast!!). I will return again.
(4)Kayla V.
My boyfriend and I from austin TX came to visit his hometown this weekend. This cozy joint was one of the handful of restaurants that he said we had to come to. A lot has changed in the last eight years, according to Gregg... But only for the better! He says they have always had the freshest fruit, and they still do years later. I had the ricotta stuffed French toast and LOVED it! The portions are huge. Everyone at the restaurant was helpful... From the waiter to the bus staff and the owner who was available and very sweet to talk to! Highly recommended and hope to come back over the weekend!!
(5)Jennifer C.
Just as I remembered!! Recently ate here after a long hiatus. Ate here religiously when I was in college and living nearby. Never thought twice about waiting in those long lines to get in-the food was always worth it. I am happy to say that all these years later, it still is wonderful!! I had the eggs benedict with avocado and tomato-yummy, rich hollandaise sauce and perfectly poached egg. And the home fries.. still some of the best I have had! Friendly staff and great, cozy vibe. What a great trip back to Sound Bites and down memory lane! Will not let all that time go by again before returning.
(5)Alyssa O.
Soundbites is awesome. Food is always amazing and the owner Yasir is a charm to be around. Love this place
(5)Phillip M.
Sound bites is ok - their food is great but the service and atmosphere is lame. With the Davis/ball square area being the brunch capital of somerville, you can probably do better.
(3)Laurie B.
I ate here 3 years ago and got the Breakfast Bowl. It..was..amazing. The end. I can't wait till next time I'm in Somerville to have it again. Also, I love the do it yourself drink station.
(5)Ariel Z.
Love this place! This is my new go-to spot for brunch near my residence. There is sometimes a line outside, but it moves quickly and if you are in a 2+ group, it may take longer. The menu has your standard breakfast items, my favorite of which is the seasonal pumpkin pancakes. I have mixed feelings about the "serve yourself" drink station, but it is nice that you don't have to bother flagging down the waiter/waitress for more water and coffee. Also, bottomless coffee is pretty awesome. I will keep coming back here again and again, that's for sure.
(4)Keiko K.
I used to be a regular at Sound Bites years ago and loved it. I can't recall if I stopped eating there after I developed an allergy to garlic (and therefore their breakfast potatoes) or if it was just moving on to other breakfast spots that had shorter lines and were tastier. I had no been there in years until I went this past Saturday after a friend told me she goes regularly and loves it. We were initially seated next to the "window" which is actually a garage door through which cold air was pouring through the cracks. I told my friends I was too cold and wanted to move so we asked for a new table and were able to get farther into the restaurant. I ordered the asparagus & tomato eggs benedict + prosciutto, MINUS the tomato. When I told the waitress my order she repeated it back to me and appeared to be writing it down. When my order arrived there was tomato on it. I sent it back to the kitchen with a guy who I believe was the owner. He apologized but when it came back within minutes I wondered to my friends if they had made it fresh (seemed impossible) or simply removed the tomato. Partway through my meal I found some tomato on the eggs benedict. So, if you have an actual allergy you probably need to specify that. (I am not allergic to tomatoes, I just don't like them.) One of my friends noticed that the waitress never apologized for the error. The prosciutto was so hard I had trouble chewing it but having sent my food back once already I was too hungry to send it back again so I ate it anyway. The review gets 2 stars because the eggs (though small) were both perfectly poached (which is not always the case with eggs benedict) and the asparagus was well cooked and sliced a reasonable size. My friend and I also asked for 2 speciality pancakes - one chocolate chip and one pumpkin. It was our mistake to assume we would be charged the price on the menu for a side of 2 pancakes ($4.99). We were charged $3 each for pancakes that weren't very good. We should have confirmed the price but the waitress also didn't tell us and it was not listed on the menu as far as we could tell. The pumpkin didn't have much pumpkin flavor and was very salty. The chocolate chip pancakes didn't have enough chocolate chips. But we were hungry so we ate them. My portion of the bill was $18 and it was not worth it at all. I could have gone to Commonwealth and spend the same amount for a far tastier meal for the same price or gone to Tatte or Magnificent Muffin and spent less than half that. Note that they are happy to make substitutions but they will charge you for any substitution. Also, drinks are still self-serve. I don't think I'll be back. :(
(2)Christina C.
Excellent brunch! We came here for the first time today and were very impressed by the wide selection of brunch and lunch offerings. The restaurant is very clean and sleek on the inside, a bit of a surprise from the outside. The owner (I think) came over to speak with us personally, ask about our meal, and chat about the neighborhood. He recommended another restaurant across the street and complimented their food, which I thought was very classy and shows a lot of mutual respect for the other restaurant owners in the community. We had the blueberry banana pancakes and a smoked salmon omelet, both excellent and served in very generous portions. The only drawback was that the service was confusing - we were never spoken to or served by the same person more than once. Servers did not appear to have assigned tables or sections but rather floated around and all took care of everyone. It made it confusing to know who to ask for water or to give our order. All in all, a positive experience with delicious food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere - exactly what you want in a Sunday brunch.
(4)Vivian C.
Sound Bites is located right next to Ball Square Cafe, and before this meal, neither doorway had I ever darkened. For a Saturday brunch around lunch time, we arrived to find a rather long line outside that of Ball Square Cafe, while that before Sound Bites was near nil. Did those in the significant queue know something I knew not? I took a peek through the window of each - oh, Ball Square Cafe is relatively narrow and deep, while Sound Bites seemed perhaps twice the size. Could that explain it? Anyhow, not realizing that the two individuals standing outside of Sound Bites WAS the line, we entered the restaurant only to be rightly asked to wait outside in the line. After a party of 3 which arrived after us was seated, and the party of two ahead of us as well, we became the line. Another pair entered the establishment as we had earlier, but they were immediately seated! Surprised, I comforted us with the thought that we did not really want to sit right near the entrance anyhow, however, I would have appreciated an apology from the lady handling the seating for the error. That we did not receive, but at least we were seated at one of their taller tables for two shortly thereafter. From there, our experience improved. As per the menu, we helped ourselves to mugfuls of the liquid of choice from the selections set in the far right corner of the cafe and ordered several items from the high carb sweet options of the menu to share between the two of us. As a friend had recommended their waffles, we opted for the caramelized apple cinnamon $9.99 with the marscapone cheese addition on the side. The waffle was tender throughout, and topped with an acceptable mound of the tasty tender sweet apple pieces. It was quite good, only to be improved if the waffle were to be crisper on the surface while still tender within. I could not resist the opportunity to try their pancakes since theirs had been "recommended by Boston Magazine," and so we added a side of 2 for $4.99 rather than the entree portion of 3 for $6.99 for their pumpkin version. Fluffy, soft, tender, and a significant size. Yup, quite good! And last but not least, the Cereal Walnut Almond French Toast caramelized blueberry and marscapone cheese $10.99, which came 4 thick half slices to the plate. This had no need of additional sugar in the form of the syrup that sat at our table. I enjoyed the textural differences in this dish, and found it funny that the bananas had been tinged blue by the berries. But oh, our eyes were indeed bigger than our stomachs, and another belly could have potentially been filled by the remainder. Service could have been a tad improved as it was only near the end of our meal that we were asked how things were. Fortunately things were fine and we had not been looking for service since we were each responsible for our own refills on drinks. For full disclosure, this meal was on the house as recompense of a poor meal experience previously received by my DC. Upon redemption of the courtesy meal, the owner checked on us personally and was gratified that my DC's impression of the cafe and its food had been much improved this time around. He also offered us a free drink from their bar. We opted for the mimosas, which I suspect was light on the alcohol since I'm normally turned red by a single glass of wine (Asian flush), but was just fine this time around. Street parking wasn't easy with it being permit parking on the side streets, but we managed!
(4)N. C.
Fantastic place. I love their potato mash. Frankly, I've tried the place next door and although they seem to have a similar menu, the food here is generally much better. Try the eggs Benedict, they are amazing! Also, you'll be impressed by the portion sizes and their fruit bowl!
(5)adam b.
Awesome breakfast. Try the stuffed french toast - the one with pears and goat cheese was (dare I say?) "da bomb". Coffee's decent too.
(4)Allison L.
I didn't really like the food. The home fries were weird and under cooked. Also, I could have stayed home to get up and pour my own coffee. The prices are okay, it was clean and had a good vibe. It is super easy to get to by public transit. The new parking rules in somerville make parking a challenge. I won't go back. It was just okay.
(2)K E.
First let me say that I am truly bummed to be giving Sound Bites two stars. I'd heard only good things about it and, having lived in Somerville for far too long without checking it out, I suppose I had fairly high expectations. First, it's great that you can grab a coffee quickly when you arrive...but a drag that the coffee (at least what I had) was bitter and clearly had been sitting for a while. On recommendation, I had the pear-and-goat-cheese stuffed french toast, and my friend had the boursin and mushroom omelette. I was very surprised to find the french toast rather anemic-looking upon arrival; somehow it just looked limp and sad on the plate. I found it extremely skimpy on the goat cheese, and the pear, being unripe, was much too crunchy and lacked flavor. (If they can't get fresh pears out of season, they might consider rotating the fruit in this dish.) My friend's omelette was okay, not fabulous. But seriously, what is up with those potatoes? Are they really calling those "home fries"? They are a block of instant mashed potatoes, crisped up a smidge on the outside. My friend and I poked our forks at it and looked at each other, puzzled. Just...odd. All this said, the menu is broad and many other things sound appealing, so I might go back again to see if it was a bad day or not the best dishes. But based on that one visit, not feeling the love. The one thing I'll say is that going on a weekday seems to eliminate the legendary rushing about which many have complained. We took our time and it was no problem.
(2)Josephine P.
When I moved into Somerville the question I asked everyone I knew who lived in the area before was "where is your favorite place to eat" and pretty much all the time, the response was Sound Bites. I was sold. I went on a Friday night with my old roommates and we had high hopes. That's our fault; this review is by no means in reflection of our ridiculously high expectation and the restaurant's inability to fulfill those preconceptions. I mean a good meal is a good meal, we weren't going to be picky about silly things. I ordered the waffle, which was ok, I personally don't have a waffle maker so I'm sure I couldn't do better. But for 1 waffle the size of your hand to be $6 with no sides or anything, it was a pretty sad dish and an even sadder decision on my part. My roommate ordered the portobello omelette and was horrified by the amount of oil that oozed out when he sliced into it. Even my boyfriend who will pretty much eat anything was a little disturbed by the heart palpitations he got after eating a couple of bites. I have always stood by sayings like: "butter makes everything better" and "the fattiest things have the best flavor" This was DEFINITELY not the case. It was just oil/butter that coated your mouth so you really couldn't taste anything else. Also, we ordered beers off the tap and they were flat. flat and stale. I am no beer expert, but I have been to a few brewery tours in my lifetime and I do know that flat beer on tap is a result of not cleaning your pipes every month. On a more positive note: My other roommate got the sausage plate and he didn't complain. So I guess the moral of the story is only get their meat selection. Maybe we went on an off day, or maybe the dinner cooks are not as good at the breakfast meals...I have no idea, but don't go at dinner.
(2)Ann R.
Love, love, love this place! Everything here is amazing. I usually go with omelettes, but I haven't had anything bad here. Only downside is the line on weekend mornings.... but it does move pretty quickly, especially with all of the space in the current location.
(5)Jessica T.
Excellent breakfast. The fresh fruit tastes just picked, the waffles - melt in your mouth, and well everything - basically goes down with lots of "This is so damn good" and " No really...this is sooooo good" - especially after a late night of boozing. Despite how quicly the breakfast goes down -the line to get in Sound Bites is usually painfully long. Sound Bites - is famous for its breakfast and it's the first thing many people think of when they want to nurse a hang-over or begin their Sunday. The owner is quirky and doesn't allow cell-phones or too much lingering over breakfast, but with breakfast this good - Sound Bites can get away with it, and adds to quaintness of the place. Hats off to owners -for taking a stance against those that feel it is their duty to enlighten every table two feet away on their crazy exploits the night before.
(5)Casey F.
I have been going to Sound Bites for years. And for years, I've been a fan. They were efficient, fast, and the food was tasty. I didn't mind waiting in line - typically it moved fast. I like/LOVE the mashed potato home fries. The service was quick and usually with a smile. However. They recently moved into the space "El Guapo" occupied for a brief time. Sure, my BF and I were seated sooner than we would have at the old place... but no one came to take our order. 20 minutes later, I had to flag down the busboy, who got the owner, who then took our order. He sent over some fresh fruit (delicious) to make up for it. Considering they just moved into the new space, I could forgive the lax service and slow food delivery. Another However. We returned a month later. The waitress took her time taking our order. My side of home fries arrived. Yum! The rest of breakfast must be on its way, right? Wrong. My BF received his food 20 minutes later... and then 15 minutes after THAT, I got mine. Sound Bites, you served me well in the past. Until you figure out how to serve more people, I can't say that I'll be back. :-(
(3)Melody A.
For the price you pay, you get a HEAPING of food! I was lucky enough to go here during the week, not when it's crazy busy. I got one of their ginormous omelettes. artichoke hearts, tomatoes and jack cheese with the hash on the side, which is like fried mashed potatoes,very good. Their pumpkin spice coffee was also delicious. Perfect for when you're REALLY hungry for breakfast!
(5)Kira D.
I ventured to Ball Square one recent Sunday morning for brunch at Sound Bites, and I was definitely not disappointed. Approaching the place, there was a huge line out the door (to be expected around 11:30 AM), but since it was only me and a friend, we were seated right away. From then on, it was a definite theme there that you move fast and keeping things moving. The menu looked extensive and had a lot of different options (many different eggs bene and omelet combos). We ordered quickly- shared the pear and goat cheese stuffed french toast (oh so delicious) and the eggs benedict with spinach instead of ham. It was tasty, but too much hollandaise smothered everything, and the sauce wasn't the best ever. the fried mashed potato brick is deliciously garlicy and flavorful, but not really what i wanted for brunch. The self-service beverages doesn't really save much time, since the line was huge and carrying them back to your seat amongst crowds of people is a little obnoxious. Not to mention you tip them based on drinks you fetched yourself, which is a little uncool. Coffee was pretty weak, too. After eating, and trying to grab our waiter, which could have been 5 different people at any one time, we quickly paid. We lingered for a few moments to finish coffee and it was obvious the waitress wanted to clear away our cups so bad. All in all, the service is friendly and efficient, but this isn't the place to relax and have a leisurely brunch on a Sunday morning. If you just want to have a quick bite that is both very delicious and reasonably priced, then Sound Bites is your place.
(4)Juli I.
I've never had a meal I didn't love here. That said, nearly every meal has included at least one Wonder Waffle with fruit. But I don't think that should negate my first statement. I love the coffee bar. I'll happily serve myself a cup of my favorite flavored coffee, will unlimited refills, any day over waiting for a harried server to remember to offer a warm-up from the pot she's been carrying around for 10 minutes. I will say that we don't bother coming on weekends any more. I just don't have the patience for the wait. This is a surprise-opportunity-for- weekday-brunch sort of spot for us...but no less well loved for it.
(5)Guy C.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed Also, the atmosphere is completely cool and easy going. love this place. Always top-notch service. I have eaten a lot of diner breakfasts in my life, but for lots of good reasons I keep coming back
(5)Ilene F.
Here's the thing about the line. You go in, get your coffee, and have the bulk of the conversation you were going to have at the table outside in the sunshine. Once the weather starts to get cold, I have less tolerance for standing outside in line, but 8 months out of the year, I can deal with it. Their food is consistently good, and I've done the occasional substitution without any problem. They don't skimp on portions, and those homefries make it all worthwhile. By the time I'm done with the experience, I've had at least 3 cups of coffee, a complete conversation with whomever I'm with, and a content full belly.
(4)Jonathan G.
I loved soundbites for its hasty/rude service and incredibly delicious food. They knew their food was so good that they could make you get in line, serve yourself coffee, sit you in lawn chairs, glare at you until you left, and you would still be grateful. Then they expanded. Maybe I was unlucky, but the service went from hasty and rude to nonexistent. We sat, and waited, and waited, and then our order was taken. And then we waited, and waited, and waited. And waited. Finally, food came, and then (definitely a first at soundbites) we had to wait for our check. Yes, the food was still amazing. But we were there for what must have been an hour and a half. Slow and neglectful definitely lacks the charm of quick and rude.
(3)Krystle W.
It's great to see a business who hasn't given in to the mealy-mouthed, simpering "the customer is always right, no matter how rude they are" attitude so pervasive in modern businesses. Sound Bites is amazing - I have always found the owner to be engaging, pleasant, and full of personality. I'm guessing Deborah S. was sitting and taking up space for an impolite amount of time while the line of waiting customers was out the door. The food here is top quality, and the owner always remembers regular customers and makes it a point to say hello. He takes the time to personally inquire after his customers' satisfaction and is always very engaging. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends. A++
(5)Ladyjane S.
I've been here twice this month and aside from my slightly undercooked Moroccan Eggs, neither myself nor my dining companions have been overly disappointed. The asparagus and tomato eggs benedict is AMAZING!! Plus they come with those insanely filling homefries/fried mashed stuff. The french toast really wasn't wonderful in my opinion...I kinda thought it was a bit dry as well and I ended up cutting the crusts off, which I never do. But, the fruit bowl is incredibly fresh and comes with a great variety of fruits including papaya, mango, kiwi, strawberries and they're all ripe and delicious! The fruit bowls are $5 but they are huge! Also, there's always been a line when I've come but I haven't waited more than 5 min. People move in and out of the place fairly quickly. Haven't been to the Ball Sq. Cafe next door but I might try that one next...
(4)Jess K.
I know the food here is great and everything but I really dislike being rushed to order, rushed to eat, and rushed to get out. When I go out for a meal I like to be able to enjoy it and spend some time catching up with friends. So because of that I avoid this place and go down the street to Kelly's. They also have great breakfast and although it is always crowded they don't make you feel like your presence is a nuisance.
(2)Sam S.
Most places "fruit" means faded melon, sad grapes and maybe a rubberized apple slice. At Sound Bites it's mango, papaya, kiwi, real apple, strawberry, happy grapes, whatever is ripe and real. This philosophy holds for everything they serve. The staff can be gruff, yes. But they care about the food. Your ego...not so much. If you need to feel special, go elsewhere. If you want and appreciate real breakfast, you'll be happy here.
(4)Dessa R.
After a strong recommendation from my breakfast buff friend, I was dying to check this place out. I am a total weekend breakfast junkie because- well, breakfast is the meal I eat least often. After another semi-foodie friend seconded the notion of me going to eat at Sound Bites, I was sold. So I'm not the kind of reviewer that heavily factors in the non-food related issues in my star-ratings, but I do feel dutifully inclined to mention them to my dear readers. Parking is a nightmare, so be prepared to stalk people who look like they are returning to a car. The wait, like every other worthwhile breakfast in Boston, is long, but do-able. You can pretty much count on being seated with other people at large shapely tables with stools. The deco is very Dr. Suess, which I found to be pleasant. The service? Fast and efficient, and they do kind of rush you to finish up- but so what? They can rush me all they want, I am not leaving until I am damn well ready. My advice if this concerns you? Grow some thicker skin, or eat faster! Now, the important stuff. The food. I had the notorious goat cheese and pear stuffed French toast. It was pretty good, but not mind-blowing. My companion had the tomato and avacado eggs benedict, which he enjoyed. I liked that they had creative combinations in their breakfast items, but they have a little work ahead of them to push my 3.5 star review into the 4 or 5 range. My conclusion- worth checking out at least once, but go with realistic expectations.
(3)Erin G.
I want to give 3.5 stars! I've been here several times, most recently for dinner with my boyfriend. I ordered a hamburger and I think that he got an omelet. The food was fine, but my hamburger was not as stellar as my last breakfast there (a waffle covered in fruit) and frankly, I've gotten better burgers for $10.
(3)Megan R.
My friend and I haven't seen each other in a while and decided to try out Soundbites. First of all for a Saturday I was able to find parking almost right away on Broadway and we got a table super fast. The menu was vast and if you can't find something on it you would like you can count yourself as picky! I got a breakfast special-Portebello Mushroom, Goat Cheese and Tomato Omlet servered with a side of delicious mashed potatoes! What a nice change from home fries or hashbrowns. They also served us a complimentary plate of fresh fruit. Since we were catching up I was very pleased that they didn't rush us. The only downside is that the gentleman who was clearing our plates at the end kept interrupting our conversation to insert "witty" comments while clearing. That was a bit annoying, but otherwise I give it 4/5 stars and would definitely go back!
(4)Babs P.
I live by this place, so i know some of the tricks of the trade: a) don't go on the weekends, just go somewhere else. it's way too long of a wait and you'll be rushed thru breakfast, which may result in a tummy ache. b) go for breakfast, not brunch. the earlier, the better the service. c) go when you're craving pancakes or french toast. that's what they're known for. my fave dish is the 2 cubed because you get eggs, bacon, and pancakes with 3 types of berries. d) don't go with a large group. they just don't have the space. it's better for a group of 4 or less people. e) be nice to the waitstaff. if you follow the above recommendations, they'll give you decent service.
(3)Kevin A.
NOT FOR THE CLAUSTROPHOBIC Sound Bites does a great job with hearty, "stick to your ribs" favorites likes eggs benedict, corned beef hash, and waffles in a mom-and-pop, greasy spoon type of setting. They also have some interesting offerings like smoked salmon eggs benedict, crab benedict, and a spicy dish called Moroccan eggs. If you're looking for a leisurely brunch with attentive service, this isn't the place for you. With limited seating and a consistently long line, the servers rush to get you in and out. Also, if you're even a little claustrophobic you should stay away. The tables are so close together that you'll literally be rubbing elbows with the table next to you and good luck getting out if there's a fire. All in all, I'd go back as long as the line isn't too long (6 people in front of you = 20 minute wait). Also, the wait should be getting shorter very soon as they're expanding into the restaurant space next door.
(4)Jordan H.
Consistently serving the best breakfast in town. I've been coming here for years and don't regret it for a second. I recommend the green omelet with cheddar cheese and sesame bagel. The self-serve coffee is also awesome because when you want another cup, you don't need to wait for a server.
(5)JeNnIfEr S.
Like John R. below, I to enjoy the self serve coffee / beverage bar.... as well as the 'to-go' cups they have out. Four Stars for that alone! I come here fairly often, however, I always get the Scone Plate. It's yummy! The hashbrowns are good as well. Check it out! This place can get pretty crowded so you may want to avoid peak eating hours!
(4)A G.
Great food . Great service . Must try the french toast stuffed with goat cheese and pear. The lines on weekend mornings can be a little long but I never had to wait too long. Drinks are for serve yourself with choices of various coffee flavors, tea etc.
(4)Jenny P.
My friend who is new to town had told me this place was great for breakfast. So a couple of us went last weekend. The food was fair at best and the owner/waiter was a nightmare. I think if there was a definition of rude in the dictionary, he would be pictured next to it. In addition, we were trying to pay for our meals, but the old man taking our money and could not even understand enough english to process the check correctly. So unless you want to experience rude behavior first hand, I would definitely not recommend this place.
(1)Charoline D.
Why are people so surprised when breakfast joint waitstaff aren't friendly? My roommate introduced me to this place this morning while I attempted to wake up from my alcohol induced coma. Or maybe in that case, it's more of a self induced coma, no? I would've preferred to end up somewhere we could eat outside on such a day as this, but the food was good, the service was quick, I wanted good eggs, and I got good eggs. I was impressed with my avocado/jack/tomato omelette, as it's similar to one that I make home, sub pepper jack for their regular jack. The avocado was fresh and they didn't scrimp on it. I like an omelette bursting with items, possibly poking through that thin little eggy layer to the point where it's more a pile of toppings bonded together with egg than anything else. The menu touted some equally delicious omelettes including a tuscan omelette with fresh mozzarella and tomato and an interesting adaptation on eggs benedict sub avocado for canadian bacon. I pretty much will put avocado on anything and find it fabulous. As mentioned in previous reviews, the waitstaff isn't particularly friendly, but anyone who has been in food service would understand the dynamic of a popular breakfast joint with limited seating. You're going to make more money turning your tables over than giving awesome service to someone who's spending at the most $25 on breakfast. So wait, that works out to a $4 tip IF someone is feeling generous. Put yourself in those shoes, I'd rather feed people and get them the F out of there than have them sitting there wasting my time making small talk about the sox game. Most people don't put much value on breakfast either and are more inclined to tip less than they might at lunch or dinner. One gentleman who was presumably a manager/head waiter was more than accomodating, rushed, but kind. Overall, I was more than surprised and will definitely be back.
(4)Caitlin W.
I want Sound Bites to be good, I really do. Everyone else I know really loves it. This morning I ordered Banana Blueberry pancakes and my boyfriend ordered Strawberry pancakes. We got them delivered because it's a snow day. I was utterly disappointed with them. They were chewy, all the blueberries were clumped on one half of the pancakes and there were hardly any bananas. The same goes for my boyfriends pancakes, there were only 3 strawberries on each pancake. Oh I also ordered a cappuccino (I know risky for delivery but I needed my morning coffee) and it didn't even have any foam, it's not a cappuccino without foam. Overall very disappointing would not recommend it.
(2)Andrew N.
While visiting the greater Boston area, my dear friend took me to this place raving about it. Especially the home fries. Damn those home fries; they really are something else. I've never had home fries like this--they're sort of like mashed potatoes, but with a nice crunchy outer crust 'cause they put it on the flattop grill. It's quite delicious what with the savory flavor and the different textures creating a wonderful sensation in your mouth. It's like a party! And they're good with maple syrup. Sort of a sweet and savory mixture that's a great match. Or maybe I'm just weird like that. Along with the side of home fries, I also ordered a Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern combo plate because I wasn't feeling too breakfast-y. It consisted of a chicken kabob, mujadra, stuffed grape leaves, flat bread, and a side salad. The chicken was succulent, and not dry- I cannot tell you how many times I have had grilled chicken that's dry as the Sahara. But not at Sound Bites-- again it was succulent, and the smokey flavor was the hot ticket indeed! I never had mujadra, and found out that it was a purplish/blueish rice with a yogurt based sauce on top. I liked it, as the rice was chewy and nutty, in a brown rice sort of way, and the yogurt sauce was rich and tangy. I love things with a tangy kick. And speaking of tangy, the stuffed grape leaves where tangy indeed! Like a kick-too-the-face tangy! The mouth-puckering intensity might be a bit too much for some, but it was right on the button for my gastronomical sensibilities. Oh, and I had a Bloody Caesar. It's like a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato instead of tomato juice. Mhmmm....quite delicious. Like a chilled soup with a kick. With that being said, Sound Bites does have a nicely stocked bar and beer selection, which I found to be interesting and awesome since it is a diner-like establishment. Never seen a bar at a diner before. These guys know what's up, and what's up is beer on tap and a mean cocktail! Stop by and check this place out if you haven't done so already. And make sure you sure you try those home fries. Good as hell!
(4)Phil W.
What's everyone's biggest complaint? That the staff are rude, and will kick you out if you take too long with your meal. And it's true - if you're looking to have a long, lazy brunch on the weekend, Sound Bites just isn't the place. God help you if you take out a newspaper and start reading when there's a line out the door. But if you can accept that it's an eat-quick-and-get-the-hell-out place, or you can make it there on a weekday, then it's awesome. Best home fries I've ever had. I usually go with the Green Eggs No Ham (hollandaise and spinach - is there anything better?) or the Golden Grill (mmmm, corn muffin...). I went there today for lunch with a friend, and they brought his meal out first, and then mine came probably 10 minutes later. That's never happened to me there before, but I was still pretty annoyed. I politely asked if my food was coming, and when they finally brought it out, they also gave us some free fresh fruit to make up for it. So, not so bad. And the more people bitch about Sound Bites and say they'll never go back, the shorter the line will be next time I go. Bitch away, peoples!
(4)Tad B.
Best breakfast in a 20 mile radius. Worth the wait (often lines out the door). Worth the drama (ask Yasser what he thinks of his neighbor). I go all the way to Somerville from the 'burbs just to have their food. Favorite is the two-cubed royale. Two eggs your way, two pancakes (best are chocolate banana) of your choice, two pieces of meat (turkey sausage!), and some bread. Ridiculously good. Now I'm hungry.
(4)Jake M.
Let's see... I will have, um, the vitriol omelet, with a side of spite and a glass of ire. Cheers. Look, we neither of us are doing ourselves any favors here, Sound Bites. For one thing, I assure you I'm not doing you any great favor by patronizing your reasonably sound (heh) if mostly unremarkable breakfast establishment. It's quite an uncomplex equation we are talking about here: I sit, you cook, you serve, I eat, I enjoy, I pay. This is the business we are engaged in here. Except that somewhere along the way the penultimate term somehow gets lost, almost without fail. So on the flip side, you are not doing yourselves any favors by treating diners like a nuisance, that YOU are somehow doing us a great favor by deigning to serve us. I get it: cramped quarters + teeming hordes of Tufts kids + weekend mornings = breakfast Armageddon. I know it's a war of attrition of turnover versus satisfied diners, but it's so skewed in the direction of the former, that it's no small wonder you stay in business. And the cure is so simple. If not a smile (which I guess would be asking too much) then at least don't let's have a tug of war over my plate. Here's a hint: I'm done when the food is gone. The continued popularity in the face of such horrendous, almost antisocial service and underwhelming food simply confounds me. The investment here - 1 hour wait/5 minute "meal" - is simply untenable. Lincoln was wrong: you can, apparently, fool all the people all the time. Bite me, Sound Bites!
(1)Amy E.
Tuscan Omelette = Incredible! Portabella, roasted red peppers, basil and fresh mozzarella...are you salivating yet? I am. I wasn't too thrilled with the potatoes that came with it, but ravenous as I had been, I was so satisfied by the time I finished the omelette that I had little room in stomach for them anyway. As for service, our food came out at all different times, which was kind of frustrating because the restaurant wasn't very busy and, though starving, I felt compelled to wait 15 minutes for my dining companions to get their food (apparently I do have manners). They did try to compensate with complimentary fruit plates though, and I give them props for putting up with a bunch of inebriated customers on a rainy Sunday afternoon!
(3)Fernando A.
This is the place for an omelet in Boston. I have been to a few other places and this is still the best. Anticipate a line and relax when you get there. You can grab a coffee while you are waiting which makes it more tolerable. I would say that it is a bit cramped but I think it adds to the ambiance. If you are looking for a good breakfast spot then you have found your place in the Ville!
(4)Matt n Chris M.
Found this place by reading another Yelp review. The Cream cheese & Fig French toast sounded too good to pass up so we had to check out. Little bit of a line when we first got there but they quickly got us seated. Well .... technically they tired to seat us w/ another couple, but I guess they weren't havin it and they never came to sit w/ us. Booooo!! their loss.. Anywho, we sat down and instantly received a plate fresh fruit, on the house! I had the fig french toast (obviously) and my husband had an omelet w/ artichokes in it. Wow!!! His was good.. but man, my french toast was off the hook!! We loved it so much we came another night, and even thought it was dinner time/ with a dinner menu the owner (I'm assuming that's who he was) was really awesome in sayin "No problem guys!!" and made us breakfast. Overall a great place to eat!! Go check it out. ;)
(5)Julia F.
If you don't mind being elbow to elbow while enjoying breakfast, then... this is the place for you. Like any other good breakfast place in the area, it's got a long line on the weekends, but if you can wait - it's really worth it. The staff are really nice, in my experience, and I've not even waited that long to get a seat, cause along with the good food and quick service, they try to get you in and out as quickly as possible - so don't expect to sit there and digest! The only thing that I don't really like, well, I'm on the fence about it: self - serve drinks. The place is so crowded that I feel like I'm going to go tripping into somebody's table and upset a breakfast or three onto myself and others. I really like the french toast, the coffee is really not anything to write home about... But if you are confused about what to order, just ask about things and you'll be directed to several different options that all sound really yummy, and believe me, they all are!
(4)Kyle M.
Fantastic Service - Personable, Quick, Great food!!! Can't wait to go back
(4)Marisa A.
BEWARE this place: I'd give it 4 stars if it weren't for 1 thing: fraud. The past 3 times I've been to Sound Bites, they changed the prices on the bill without notice AND once they included what turned out to be a ~$9 tip without labeling it (good thing we actually read our check carefully, there were 5 of us that time). One of these times includes at the newly expanded Sound Bites. When I called the owner on it, he had the nerve to say to me once (and I quote exactly), "Fruit is expensive." wtf?! Then change the damn price on the menu. The other time we called him on it he just said, "oh" and changed it (that was on 2 orders of Boston's Best Blue). Other than that, I do love the challah french toast with fresh fruit and whipped cream. In conclusion: pretty good food, but read your check carefully! and they take credit cards now.
(2)Molly S.
I've only been here on weekdays before work and had the place to myself. I had super-filling egg dishes, coffee and juice. Staff was very friendly... I didn't really know the routine, but managed to get my food without looking like a jerk. Managed to get in for a sit-down breakfast and to work on time without any hassle. Definitely try it out on a weekday (make the effort). This place is always super-crowded on the weekends, I never made it in for social hour with all of Somerville.
(4)Amanda A.
Great self-serve coffee, lovely bounty of fruit atop waffles and french toast. Awesome service, despite the jam-packed, crazy-busy atmosphere. Make sure you go with a friend or a small group of friends. Lots of smiles and happy people laughing and communicating loudly over brunch. Go here for tasty portions that require a forklift.
(4)Claudia Z.
We use to go to Sound Bites about 8 years ago. It was good back then. We went again Sunday 10/23/11 and had an awful breakfast experience. My daughters pancakes were overcooked. She was nice enough to eat them. I received the wrong order so I sent the pancakes back. The second order was under cooked. I sent the pancakes back again. The third time around I didn't want to eat the awful food as everyone else at my table had just about finished their food! The owner was mad that we took so long to eat the awful food and was talking about us to the other customers seated right next to us....saying nasty things and waving his hands around toward us with a demon expression on his ugly mug. What a miserable man. I approached him and he had the nerve to say I didn't know you received the wrong order. He didn't even apologize. He was belligerent!!!!! He seriously needs to be sprinkled with kindness that can be translated into good customer service. Doubtful with that ugly mug! Sent from my iPad
(1)Leigh c.
Here's why Sound bites gets 5 stars. I lived one block away when i lived in Boston. This made it the most convenient place to get breakfast potatoes that were really mashed potatoes (huge fan!) every weekend without having to even change out of pajamas really. And building upon this positive...let's just say, there were times that even living a block away, I barely made it back to the apartment *in time*...if you know what i'm sayin...then you've been to Sound Bites. If i lived any farther away, it might be a few less stars, but since I was close enough to avoid any post-Soundbites *accidents* - FIVE STARS baby!!!
(5)Jenny G.
Sound Bites is by FAR the best breakfast place I've ever been to. I moved out of Somerville two years ago, bust still travel back for Sunday brunch rather than endure the sub par joints in Central Square. Everything here is fantastic, from the unbeatable home fries to the generous fruit bowls to the creative omelets and all the other menu items. My personal favorite is the Cereal Walnut Almond French Toast, I'd reccomend that to anyone!
(5)Meghana P.
It was my second trip to this place and the food was just as good as the first time. The line looked long (maybe 15-20 people ahead of us) but moved quickly, so we only waited about 10 minutes. We loved that you can get coffee from inside while you wait in line, too! I ordered the Artichoke Eggs Benedict. It was amazing - the tang from the artichokes went well with the fresh tomato and the creamy hollandaise sauce. Eggs were cooked perfectly as were the double-toasted English muffins. The hash browns were phenomenal - like mash that had been fried on the top and bottom. My one friend got the Belgian Waffle with fruit and the other got the Avocado omelet. They both enjoyed the dishes. Great coffee selection, too. All of the staff were super friendly, the place just felt like home!
(5)Jessica C.
Had an amazing time today at sound bites. Surrounded by an incredible team, with great hospitality, such an affordable price for amazing food. Me and my boyfriend had a blast! Already planning our next brunch/ breakfast date we will not be strangers to them if your looking to have great breakfast surrounded by great people this is the place for you.
(5)Yadira R.
Growing up we always heard about the long lines at Sound Bites and having recently visited after so many years, I see why the lines are still long. It was a great breakfast! They have so many delicious and unique options considering it's a blend of American and Middle Eastern cuisine. We tasted the Stuffed French Toast with Nutella, Strawberry's and Bananas, grilled corn muffin, egg whites with ham and their famous "No Place Like Home Fries." These Home Fries are seasoned to perfection and have a mashed potato like consistency with a crisp exterior. Very GOOD! Don't let the lines fool you because they move pretty fast. I still have mixed feeling about the self serve coffee station, but at the same time I get to try a variety. The staff is super friendly and to top it off, they let us take a cup of coffee to go. Somerville's gone through some changes in the last couple of years so it's always nice to support an original spot or institution as some like to say. Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(3)Hilary L.
Sound bites is absolutely delicious. I drive all the way from Brookline to come eat a delicious breakfast. Their eggs Benedict is amazing and their fruit platters are so big!!!! Home fries are unbelievable. The only reason I didn't give a five star is because the coffee is horrible. It's over filtered and watered down. They need a complete new coffee company. Also, it's annoying to have to self serve coffee. It should just be part of the waiting service's responsibility. Overall though, the food is the main interest and it is AMAZING.
(4)Hov H.
Been to soundbites countless times, and have never left disappointed. The food is delicious, and the wait staff is always friendly and upbeat. Do yourself a favor and try the French toast.
(5)Debra L.
Just scrolling through the ratings, it's interesting to see that people either love or hate Sound Bites. As for me, if I'm craving breakfast, this is where it's at and it's absolutely worth the trek back to Somerville to get my Sound Bites breakfast favorites that have captured my heart, my stomach, and my loyalty for the past 5 years. My usual: Sausage, egg, and cheese croissant with a side of blueberry and banana pancakes. Yes, you can get a side of pancakes! It's perfect for people like me who are forever torn between sweet and savory during breakfast. And all of this and a full and happy belly for roughly $7. The sausage, egg, and cheese on croissant is pretty standard, but the pancakes are notable because I don't usually eat pancakes- in the war between pancakes and waffles, I have always been fiercely allied with waffles, but these pancakes are just so irresistibly loaded up with blueberry-banana-goodness that I don't even blink an eye at the waffles on the menu. Another favorite of mine is the Broadway Bowl, which is basically the contents of a giant breakfast burrito--home fries, tomatoes, pepper, onion, avocado, and cheese--layered in a seemingly bottomless bowl that defies the size of the average appetite. I like to get the Broadway Bowl with a side of sausage just because I love breakfast sausage/meat in general. Clearly, people either love it or hate it, the reviews are totally polarized, so my advice would be to give it a try and decide for yourself. After all, if you find that you love it like I do, it'll be totally worth it to find what could be beloved breakfast spot and if you don't, what's one meal in the grand scheme of things.
(5)Jocelyn F.
I finally made it to Sound Bites yesterday after a friend recommended it to me. I went during the week because the crowds waiting outside the restaurant are unbelievable on the weekend. I believe we were greeted by the owner. we were seated and our order was taken by him. our food came very quickly. i got a belgian waffle and my son got choco chip pancakes and we both got bacon. the food was delicious! the restaurant is very neat and clean. i would have given a 5 star rating but though the restaurant was not busy or crowded, our waiter/server never checked in with us to see if we were enjoying our meal or if we wanted anything more. my tip reflected that as well. I would go again though as the food was really good. if i experience the same service i will definitely complain.
(4)Kai M.
Popular breakfast spot with a great menu. From the omelettes to the french toast, Sound Bites pretty much has it all. Everything is solid. I am a personal fan of the self-service drink station, which has available a variety of drinks that you take and they charge you for later. The restaurant is not small but still gets crowded on weekend mornings; do not be fooled, as the line moves quickly.
(4)Nicole B.
Sound Bites has quite the quirky set up, but hey it works! I would give Sound Bites 3.5 stars. This is the first breakfast joint that I've been to with DIY coffee. Instead of the servers continually refilling coffee cups there is a coffee bar area where you can pick what you want. This has its pros and cons: pro custom drinks, con: creates a hectic dining room. My eggs were a solid choice and I tried the triple berry pancakes that were savory and sweet. The turnover was pretty quick and the line moved fast even though the restaurant was packed on a Sunday morning.
(3)G G.
As a Somerville resident for the past few years, I've always seen the long lines that gather outside of Sound Bites and always heard good things about the restaurant's brunch so decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I still don't get what all the hype is about with this place. Menu: Sound Bites has a great brunch menu. Our tabled ordered the Challah French Toast and the Triple Berry Cakes which were delicious. We also ordered the Avocado and Tomato Eggs Benedict and the Asparagus and Tomato Eggs Benedict which were just ok: nothing spectacular or special. Beverages: Water, coffee, juices, etc. are self-served which is totally fine and in my opinion efficient. Service: Pretty quick and efficient but seeing that they only take your order and deliver your food, I think tipping 15% is fine since they don't bring you drinks, refill them, or even check-in to see how you're doing. Ambiance: relaxed, casual, and the feeling of a local neighborhood joint. Customer service: Needs some work. My friend's pant leg touched the bottom of the table and ended up having gum on her dry-clean only pants. When we informed the staff and asked if they could cover the bill of getting it cleaned, they took on a defensive position saying it wasn't their fault that customers stuck gum under the tables and that they "couldn't control what customers do." There wasn't even a "I'm sorry this happened" or "Have a free coffee on us" it was just: "Not our fault." My friend ended up going to the back of the restaurant where they luckily were able to use Windex to remove the gum but the point is we were frustrated with the way the management company reacted to the situation. Sensing our reaction, the management offered free mugs (not any, just the yellow ones) to my friend but at that point we just wanted to leave since we could smell the Windex. And, we still ended up paying a full bill with tip. Overall: I would have left this place with four stars and as a returning customer but now all I can associate eggs benedict with is the smell of Windex and it makes my stomach churn. There are other places to get brunch in the area with GOOD customer service.
(3)G B.
Hands down best breakfast in the area my favorite is the strawberry and banana stuffed french toast. I've had the burger, steak tips, soups and salads and never had a bad meal or experience there. Cudos to management for they're attention to detail and customer service, I love this place and so I'm giving it a well deserved 5 stars. Thanks Sound Bites.
(5)Garfield M.
The owner\manager is a legit thief , the food was somewhat ok but nothing to brag about. Yasser was trying to charge us for items that what we didn't even order, who does that!!! Smh. I will never GO to this pathetic place ever again and I also over heard the Owner talk shit about the customers in his restaurant bc they didn't like the food, I wonder why there's always a line in front of Ball Sq Cafe and not here. What a shame!
(1)Kim A.
This is not our normal breakfast place, that would be the neighborhood. But when we're in the neighborhood and feel like changing it up this is where we go. We've never had anything here that we didn't like. We enjoy the French toast, the challah french toast, their grilled blueberry meal (blanking on what else it comes with),and their omelettes. Parking can be tough, look on the side streets or walk on over. Service is typically quick, friendly enough, and helpful. It is self service coffee and juice. They have non breakfast items if you want and also a bar.
(4)Gerard D.
The best word to describe this little gem is... Home, a point driven home when you get up and walk over to the counter to help yourself to coffee, juice, and assorted beverages. If your a fan of eggs benedict this is the spot for you, have them one of a dozen different ways with a side of fried potatoes that every time I take a bite it is accompanied by the sound of angels singing in my ear. The line that forms is a visual queue that this place has a solid following and the food that awaits you will prove the wait to be well worth it.
(4)Greg C.
We were visiting friends in the Boston/Cambridge area and came here for brunch on Saturday morning. First of all, I love the self serve coffee station. It is very nice to be able to get a variety of coffees and prepare them with a variety of creams and sweeteners yourself. The food was delicious. I had the Golden Grill, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a delicious, buttery, grilled corn muffin. The Hash Browns were delicious. They were more like peppery mashed potatoes with a crispy golden crust. For ten dollars it was a great deal and delicious. The waffles come piled high with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The omelets were fluffy and well filled. The only reason I took off a star was it was very loud to the point you can barely hear the people at your own table, probably due to the fact that the tables are extremely close together and really packed in there. Getting up to use the self serve coffee bar was a bit difficult because of that as well. In total, great place. If you happen to be in the Sumerville/Medford/Cambridge area, give it a try.
(4)Abby R.
Sound Bites gets 5 stars from me because when they checked our ID's for mimosas the waitress noticed it was my boyfriend's birthday and they brought us out a blueberry muffin atop a mountain of fruit salad and whipped cream, complete with a little candle to blow out. At breakfast! And I didn't even give her the ole' nudge nudge "psst, it's his birthday" schtick. And they were packed. What a quality place, I thought to myself. Then the food came out and proved me right. I got the 2^3 (2 cubed) Royale (with cheese). It didn't come with cheese, but I still liked saying Royale. That entailed scrambled eggs, bacon, 2 hefty pancakes that I barely made a dent in, and toast. The eggs and bacon were nothing special as far as breakfast goes, but they were what I expected, which was hot and cooked right. The pancakes were a little on the thick side for me, but I'm quite particular about pancake density. I relished the home fries, which were not home fries at all but a huge lump of mashed potatoes that had been tossed on the grill. My mom used to do that whenever we had leftover mashed in the morning, but it wasn't just that they reminded me of the ole' homestead that made me like them. They were soft with a crispy crust here and there, and liberally peppered all the way through which is how I like all my food. I would come back here just for that hashy mash. The breakfast lines for this place are always out of control though.
(5)AmyLynn A.
Took about 5 minutes to get someone to come over to us. He realized the wait was long and brought over a delicious fruit plate on the house. Our food came out as we got our coffee, so that was fast. My husband ordered an omelette with a side of hash and instead, got an omelette with hash inside. My avocado tomato and cheese omelette came loaded with diced tomatoes, one tiny clump of cheese, with half an avocado placed inside. No one came by to see how we were or what we might need, they just dropped off the check. Mediocre food, impersonal service. Next time we'll try the Ball Square Cafe next door.
(3)sally d.
Long time since my last visit. Delicious as always ... Jimmy's Moroccan Eggs and the potatoes, please, so so good. Place looks great and clean. Service friendly and great... I was first customer of day, so no waiting!
(5)Meron L.
By far the best breakfast/brunch place in miles, with the added bonus of excellent Middle Eastern food. The owner takes a personal stake in each patron's enjoyment and new customers are treated as well as regulars (and often become regulars). My particular favorite is the Ole Omelette, but as I have told everyone I have every brought here, theirs is a Can't Go Wrong menu.
(5)Nisreen G.
Brunch. Breakfast. Beautiful. Pro tips: Stay away from the serve yourself beverages that are RIDICULOUSLY priced. ( unless those oranges we're squeezed in Florida this morning bring your price down) but great food. Rule of thumb for brunch: If you can make it at home, don't buy it. Soundbites is a lovely blend of the familiar and the extravagant at medium prices. A decent walk from the T but uber worth it and the wait. Much faster than the Ball Square Cafe place next door ( pretty sure the menu is the same) Manager was super friendly and brought over a complimentary fruit platter ( it had mango! yum) Get a grilled blueberry muffin for the road. Do it. I dare you.
(4)Julie C.
Wait what? Why does this place get rave reviews and lines for days? To me, it's your standard breakfast joint. I don't eat waffles so I can't attest to that but I can say the fruit was not fresh and everything tasted mediocre at best. I have been here a few times and I always thought it was acceptable. But the last time I went there will probably be the last time I go there. Here's why: it was 7am on a random weekday and my manfriend and I decide to be fun and sit down for a nice, relaxing breakfast before jetting off to work.The place had just opened for the day, obviously, so they probably just wiped the table but the scent of some poisonous cleaning product was so strong I wanted to barf. It really ruined my appetite. On top of that, nobody came to greet us or take our order so we sat there for literally a lifetime. On top of that, the music was turned up to 11, playing Lady Gaga-like shi*tty club music. at 7am. On a weekday. The story ends with us paying for our blech coffee and getting breakfast at True Grounds across the street.
(2)Alyssa D.
If my waist and my wallet could afford it, I would go to Sound Bites everyday and be perfectly happy. Almost every weekend we wake up and talk about Sound Bites. We have gone about ten times and have loved our meals every time. The hashbrowns are amazing and everything is always fresh and delicious!
(5)Ben S.
My favorite brunch place in the area. Savory, sweet, coffee, they do everything right. The fruit in the fruit bowl & on the side is above average and the pear & goat cheese stuffed French toast is excellent, as are the egg options that come with grilled muffins.
(5)First A.
We were seated right away. They go through the line asking how many in the party. Very efficient system, and appears a family run business. The service was fast. They bus food very good, and clear plates fast as well. There's a full, self-service coffee bar. Free coffee re-fills,...pretty awesome! The food was good and decent. It wasn't the best omelet I've ever had, but I would visit this place again. Reasonably priced menu.
(4)Lauren P.
Look, I really did want to have a more positive experience my second time around. My boyfriend and I came to Sound Bites for brunch, which is what they are known for. My last experience at dinnertime wasn't so great, so I had great hopes that brunch would be better. Here's the deal: all the tables are crammed together so you can hear everyone else's conversations. Yes, they are a well-oiled machine in the kitchen, but it means you're in and out and the leisurely experience is lacking. I ordered an egg white omelette with asparagus and swiss. It came out oily AND watery and sat on my plate in a sort of weird puddle. I could only eat half. My boyfriend and I shared the apple pancakes were were pretty delightful, so kudos on that one. All in all I just really prefer the atmosphere at Ball Square Cafe. I think that it's worth the wait over there and the food and wait staff treat you like family instead of another group to get in and out as fast as possible. I wish I liked this place as much as other people!
(2)Marcus J.
I'm a regular at soundbites and love the place. My favorite dish every weekend is the Morrocan Eggs with bacon, no onions and wheat toast. I leave happy everything I'm there.
(5)Patti K.
Yasser was very welcoming from the moment we arrived. We were celebrating my son's graduation and his departure from the Boston Somerville area. Living there for 4 years he recommended we go and try for ourselves. He was right and we were pleasantly surprised with the wonderful menu options. We had a mix of breakfast and lunch. My husband said it was one the best burgers he ever had. I loved my omelette and home fries. We were treated to lovely fresh fruit and mimosas !!! It was a great dining experience and we are sorry we didn't get there in the 4 years my son lived there. We will go back though !!!!
(5)Ryan D.
Sound Bites knows what's up when it comes to breakfast and brunch. They probably know what's up with lunch and dinner too but I haven't been at those times. I do think they have live music every once in a while but read other reviews to confirm. Breakfast is the most popular by far and my favorite place to go in the area for great value. You can tell just by the lines that wait outside of this restaurant versus Ball Square Cafe next door (and they have heaters under the awning). Ha! Portions are huge and when it comes to eggs, they are more like a vehicle or blanket for the delicious food inside. My new favorite is the mushroom and boursin omelet. Always ask for the grilled muffin, corn muffin is good but blueberry will always remain a favorite. And of course, the award winning hashbrown mashed potato block. Considered some of the best by Boston publications. One particular detail that comes to mind is the fruit bowl. It seems silly considering everything else on the menu but Sound Bites has paid attention to the detail here. They provide a lot of variation AND a lot of fruit. I've been to the place next door and the fruit bowl paled in comparison. At the end of the day, they have a lot of people to usher in and out but they're extremely efficient. Very nice to if you get the chance to speak with the founder or founder's brother. They do great business and it remains to be a local hot spot for a brunch at an incredible value.
(5)Christie L.
Great breakfast place with an extensive menu. Many options including plates, omelets, waffles, and pancakes. Self-serve coffee/tea: There were many options for both. I tried the hazelnut coffee. It was watered down and I didn't taste a hint of hazelnut. I got one of the breakfast plates that included eggs, sausage links, french toast and wheat toast. No complaints here. It was a great hearty breakfast. I went with my roommates and the waiter split the bill for us automatically which was nice.
(3)Andrew H.
I always expect a line, an somehow never wait. Food is amazing, service is fast and friendly. Definitely some of the best brunch around.
(5)Jessica F.
Amazing. We walked 30 minutes to get to this place on a freezing morning and it was totally worth it. I got the Broadway Bowl, which is a massive bowl of home fires, sautéed veggies, eggs, cheese, and avocado. It tasted super fresh and was enough food to feed like 3 people. My boyfriend got the eggs benedict with corned beef hash, which was also outstanding. They do self-serve coffee, which is great because you don't have to wait for a waiter to come over and refill your cup. And the owner is super nice - he was pitching in around the restaurant to clear tables and get checks, and seemed to know a ton of the customers by name.
(5)M L.
This place is a delight, it's my "happy place", makes me feel cuddly inside. I am particular about my food and they always accommodate me with no problem "Please hold the ____, and instead of ____, could you bring me some ____?" The answer is always "Sure, no problem." Food is SOLID, their omelettes are excellent and the ingredients are fresh. Great experience every time.
(4)Juliet N.
More like a 2.5. This place was packed on a Sunday morning, but the line moved relatively quickly. I love breakfast and I was craving an egg sandwich. I got one on sourdough, but it was pretty small. They offer "home fries," which are like mashed potatoes with a crust. I like a crunchy potato option (French fries, hash browns, smashed potatoes) much more, but they had nothing like that so all I got was a sad little sandwich. Everyone I was with got large plates of food, omelets, eggs benedict, and such. They all enjoyed them but no one was overly impressed. Tables are close together, and it was really hot inside, to the point of being uncomfortable. This place is fine for a quick breakfast, but there are many others in the area or a short drive away so we will try one of those next time.
(2)Catie C.
Finally, I had a opportunity to have a true brunch experience. I love the bottomless coffee mugs - the fact that I can choose my own color (self service drinks). It was definitely a sweet day. Had waffles, pancakes, and french toast. These were definitely much better choices than my first visit. I'm not a pig - I actually shared all this food! Each plate is a generous portion. I definitely can't finish a plate by myself. I do like their batter for pancakes and waffles. Topping it off with fresh fruits is even better! The girls are nice and friendly. Smiley faces makes brunch a much better experience along with Yassar, the nice and generous owner of Soundbites.
(4)Ashlee A.
This place is absolutely wonderful! It's our go-to place for a late Sunday brunch and really nothing can beat it. The service is absolutely great and they are always willing to go out of their way to give us the best service possible all the time being open and friendly. The Breakfast Broadway Bowl is a real gem, the breakfast steak is to die for and the free assorted coffee is a huge plus. They have freshly squeezed orange juice waiting for you to grab in the giant coolers and it is super delicious. Also try a regular mimosa or a pear mimosa! We recommend this place to everyone who can read this post and give it a try! You will definitely not regret it!
(5)Sarah Z.
I have given Sound Bites multiple tries. Each time I have eaten here, I have been very upset with the service. The owner yells as his employees in front of the customers, and the bus woman stack plates on your table to clear. They actually took dirty plates off of the table next to mine, placed them on top of my plate while they cleaned off the other table. Then proceeded to pick up the plates. It was very uncomfortable. This happened all three times I have given this place a shot. The servers were all kind, so that was a plus. The food was good too. I will stick with Ball Square.
(2)Jen K.
I stopped in here for breakfast because I had heard it was good, and I've seen lines outside before, so I figured, why not? First my table was approached by one person, with a simple 'are you ready?' but we needed a little more time, so then 2 minutes later a different person comes up and just looks at me with a pencil pressed to his notepad. There is a little bit of that rushed breakfast joint atmosphere (even though there wasn't a line/wait) but no big deal, I'm not really bothered by that. They also have a self serve beverage system, so you get your own water, juices, and coffee. I don't mind that part, but I find the drinks overpriced. Orange juice for 4.25? Coffee (with refills, which I think should be standard for breakfast) is over $3? Then I got one of the breakfast plates - the 2^3 royale ($11.99)- 2 eggs, choice of meat, toast, and french toast or pancake. It was pretty good but I've had similar combinations that were more impressive and cheaper. Additionally, no one checked on us during the meal to see how everything was going. Then a different person cleared the table, and a different person dropped our check off. It's cool when a restaurant all works together but it felt more impersonal and the experience just wasn't welcoming in any sort of way. It wasn't a bad breakfast by any means, but for about $40 for two, when I'm serving myself the drinks, I think the price point is a little high given the service and the food. There are definitely better breakfast places in the area.
(3)Meg K.
Soundbites brunch is always tasty, but not somewhere you want to go to have a leisurely meal. There is always a line on the sidewalk but it moves quickly. The downside to this is when you finally get a table, it's very rushed. They don't have time to take you drink order so you get it yourself. I think the menu might make up for it though! The scoop: Yummy food Fresh squeezed OJ You won't be here all day Know what you want and eat it Then get the heck out
(4)Matt L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, fast service, help yourself coffee, and sometimes long lines on the weekend, then this is the place for you. The lines can be off setting by the neighboring breakfast joints. We came to the area for another restaurant, but the line was too long for our timeframe. So, we settled here, and it was awesome. No line here on that day, we got seated and had enormous portions come out very fast. We had a couple cups of coffee from their "coffee buffet" essentially, and we were on our way. If you don't mind helping yourself to coffee, you'll love this place. The breakfast bowl was enormous and I came with a huge appetite and couldn't quite finish all of it. We'll be back soon!
(5)Sarah H.
Great spot for Sunday brunch! The self-serve coffee and tea bar is perfect for people who have unfortunate caffeine addictions--no waiting for a server to deliver it to you or get you refills. You have the freedom to get up and grab as much coffee as you want (or in my case, need)--they even have pumpkin spice coffee for those of us who whole heartedly embrace the flavors of fall. The menu has a ton of options-- from moist French toast and fluffy pumpkin pancakes, to omelettes with salsa cooked into the center. Don't expect to have the full attention of a waiter--they're busy and typically only take your order and deliver the food. But hey, that's why they have self serve beverages.
(4)Corey L.
Went with my girlfriend around 1pm on a Saturday. We had to wait outside in line for about 5 minutes. Not bad. Faster than Ball Square Cafe next door. As per my prior visits, the service is fairly quick, though comes around at random times, water/coffee/tea are all self-serve, which I like, and the food comes out unbelievably quickly and is great. I had the stuffed french toast with peanut butter, banana slices (on top), and added chocolate chips. SOO good. Totally dessert, but great. Added 2 scrambled eggs on the side (must have been from an ostrich b/c 2 eggs should not fill up an entire plate). My girlfriend got a bagel w lox on it. Cost $10, but a LOT of salmon - really really good. She got fruit with it, which was okay. Not lot, good variety, but not impressive. Overall, for the speed and cost, I quite enjoy Sound Bites
(4)Ian S.
Best brunch in Ball Square. I have ordered a range of things, but I tend to go back to the goat cheese and pear-stuffed French toast, which is delicious. There is often a line on weekend mornings, but it moves quickly. Plan for a 15-minute wait. Inside, the atmosphere is bustling and happy. Wait staff is brisk and efficient. They seem to appreciate prompt, no-nonsense ordering, so I would recommend looking over the menu while waiting to be seated.
(4)Bryan K.
I went for trivia night and strongly recommend getting there early for a good seat. Service was good, albeit slow, with the noise and the crowd for trivia. Ordered the breakfast bowl and was pretty good and quite filling
(4)Allison E.
I went on a Friday morning with my parents and had a fantastic experience. The fruit salad they give you to start had mango and kiwi which was awesome to begin with. Definitely a quirky self-serve beverage setup but it worked pretty well. I ordered smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was brunch perfection. The potatoes were awesome as well. Their pumpkin spice coffee was great and the service was friendly and speedy. Will be going back for sure!
(5)Laura S.
I love this place. There was one experience where they were testing the fire alarm system during my post working overnight breakfast feast, which I didn't enjoy....but I eat here extremely often, I love all of the eggs benedict options, I love the mashed potato grilled hash browns, I love love love this place. Most of all, I love how neighborly this establishment has been. They're always willing to make change so I can pay the parking meter, and with a smile rather than a sigh, and they saved my Thanksgiving -- I needed cornbread to make cornbread dressing, and Lyndell's promised me they would have it on Tuesday. Tuesday came along, and Lyndell's did NOT have cornbread. I was distressed!! Then I remembered that Soundbites has AMAZING grilled cornbread muffins....so I mosied on down the street to Soundbites to obtain some cornbread, and not only did they sell me muffins, but they took me into the kitchen and let me pick my own muffins. OH also, if you're dieting and you want to still have a social brunch or breakfast with friends....they have AMAZING fruit bowls. Just saying, always nice to have a diet option. ONLY COMPLAINT: do not order a bloody mary here. It's one of the worst I have ever had. Other than that they have some really delicious mimosa options, I just wish they had them in bigger glasses :)
(4)Madhumita N.
Delicious!!!!! So much variety, big portions and so flavorful. I liked the self serve drinks but we thought that it meant alcoholic drinks too... :)
(4)Jackie K.
Love. I've been here a few times. My favorite thing is their unique and large amount of eggs benedict choices. Good sauce. Lines start around 10:00 or so get here early or be prepared to wait.
(5)Susanna L.
Best corned beef hash I've ever had !! Also delicious stuffed french toast :) I also like that they usually give you a nice little plate of fruit for free.
(4)Mallary F.
Excellent service. Great staff and an extremely friendly owner. We came and got two meals and a fruit bowl along with drinks. The owner came over and made a point to get to know us and have us introduce him to new drinks and share with us personal stories. Would come back without a doubt.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I used to love this place, but in recent years the division with the newer Ball Square Cafe has resulted in some unpleasant experiences. The food is mediocre - there are far better spots for Greek-inspired diner food or breakfast cuisine, but I'm most disturbed by a recent patron writing up on her blog that the owner yelled at her for pulling apart the stapled receipts at the end of the meal. It is unlikely I'll return, which makes me sad because I love supporting local businesses and breakfast is my favorite food. In case you're curious - here's the blog review: kristinseabolt.com/blog/…
(2)Antony V.
Food is great, service is great, best brunch spot around. Home fries are awesome and so are the omelets.
(5)Paola C.
Breakfast is never falls short of fantastic, service is always friendly, and the coffee bar is warm and fresh. One of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Marco G.
This is pretty much my go to Brunch Place every weekend. I live in Inman square which has quite a few options for a good meal, but if I'm looking for a consistently good breakfast I almost always make the trek to Somerville. If you want to avoid the rush I suggest going after 12:30 on weekends. Sunday is a toss-up, but if you have the right size group you're not looking at anything more than a 15 minute wait. The food is well worth it. My routine order of late has been the scone plate which comes with eggs mixed with dill and cheddar, their unique fluffy hash browns, Canadian bacon and of course a grilled scone. The service is fast and the owner is one of the nicest I have ever met. Reviews seem to be pretty polarizing for this place, but I gave it 5 stars because it always exceeds my expectations and has pretty much everything I could ever want out of a good breakfast place. In my opinion the best place for weekend brunch in the greater Boston area.
(5)Whitney S.
Sound Bites is my absolute favorite! The food is fabulous with the service to match. All of the staff is extremely friendly and make me feel at home every time I am there (which is usually at least once a week). I suggest trying the broadway bowl. It always hits the spot and leaves me stuffed to the brim! The Bloody Mary is damn good too!
(5)Tom W.
Great place to unwind after a hard days work. Friendly people, you could have breakfast any time, Gregg pours the best cocktail this side of Broadway. What more could ask for?
(5)O G.
Great ownership in this establishment. Yasser has a good thing there the food was delicious was there for after Thanksgiving Brunch with friends and great service,food was delicous and at the end was approached by the owner and engaged in a conversation with us.
(5)Jessi P.
Everything was amazing! Get the avocado bowl, its fresh and delicious.
(5)Alex M.
There are a few battle lines drawn when it comes to brunch in Ball Square in Somerville. One is are you in the mood for a sweet or savory breakfast and the other is are you going to Sound Bites or Ball Square Cafe. While I will never be able to decide on sweet or savory brunch fare, the location I choose will forever be Sound Bites. While they dont serve their taters in golden, crispy form, my preference, the hash they serve is still pretty delicious. Everything else on the menu is spot on, I highly recommend the Broadway Bowl. Everything is pretty reasonably priced and food comes quick so you can go on with the rest of your day as soon as you're fueled up.
(5)Laura P.
Great breakfast spot. Food is always delicious and comes in generous servings. Love that they offer fresh fruit. One thing I don't dig is their coffee, which is a bummer because I'm a big coffee drinker. We usually go across the street to True Grounds to grab a cup after our meal.
(4)Callie M.
Amazing food and drinks! The owner personally checked on us multiple times to make sure everything was perfect, and after our meal he bought us a round of mimosas! I had the prosciutto asparagus and Swiss omelette and it was phenomenal. Their Bloody Mary's were awesome as well, with the perfect amount of horseradish. Definitely coming back soon!
(5)Susan R.
Wonder waffles. Not the multigrain. F@ck the multigrain. What is wrong with any of you people? Do you not have mouths? Do you not care about the people in line?! I could give zero Fu@%s how "rude" you think the staff is. Get your coffee... order your food quickly... eat it... leave. repeat that process until it is ritual. soundbites is the original, and it is the bomb.
(5)Ron P.
Love this place. Been coming here (and their previous location) for 15 years or more. Great breakfast menu! Had the challah French toast and it was amazing! The middle Eastern options for lunch and dinner are great too. The sautéed cauliflower, the hummus and grape leaves - all of it done so well.
(5)Shaina B.
Phenomenal breakfast every time! My husband and I discovered Sound Bites back in 2006 and have been devoted customers ever since. The fruit bowl is always bountiful and perfectly ripe, the benedicts have expertly poached eggs and sublime hollandaise (try the lobster bene - it's to die for!), the grilled blueberry muffins are a sinful treat, and the stuffed French toast is heaven on a plate. Pair any one of those things with a mimosa or Bloody Mary and your day will be off to a great start! Sound Bites is the absolute best breakfast in Somerville (and beyond)!
(5)Michael W.
Soundbites, I wish you franchised and came down south! Everytime I have gone here over the past ten years there has been a line, for good reason. Their omelets are man size, their eggs benedict are delicious and they make a mean toasted bagel. The service is ok, but again, all the servers are in the weeds all the time. Come hungry, leave full... this pace is a staple in Medford.
(4)Rosie C.
I was worried that Sound Bites wouldn't live up to the hype--but it totally did! My sister has been talking this place up for months, and I totally didn't expect it to be as good as she was saying. I wanted to deduct a star for pretty lame/rushed customer service--I wasn't thrilled to get my own water. But I did like the amazing options at the coffee bar, as well as the fact that you can take a cup to go. Four waiters asked for our order in the first four minutes after arrival, which was pretty annoying, but the fourth waitress was really sweet and offered to give us separate checks and she didn't even seem annoyed by it. But the menu--amazzzzing! I lived for all the salty-sweet food combos. I ended up with a Boston Blue--a mini cheddar omlet, homefries, and a grilled blueberry muffin. Why has nobody thought to grill muffins?!? It was incredible! I understand that the staff really rushes you in the morning. We entered at 12:30pm and had no trouble at all!
(5)Sofyan S.
They serve free coffee and tea while you wait outside, i found this outstanding and generous, i got egg Benedict and the food is tasty, recommended.
(5)Matthew J.
Well worth the wait. I have tried most things on their brunch menu and I've never had a bad meal .
(5)Brianna R.
I would highly recommend this spot for brunch! Any day of the week. The service is amazing! The owner came over to our table several times to make sure everything was ok. He even gave us a free round of mimosas! I had both mimosas and a Bloody Mary and they were both delicious. I had eggs Benedict with prosciutto, tomatoes and asparagus and it was amazing. Everyone at my table were very pleased with their meal and drinks. It's small so I would recommend making a reservation!
(5)Liza K.
Great food, for a good price! There's always a wait, but it's worth it. They have a lot of great variety on their menu! My favorite thing is their fruit salad - they put a lot more different kinds of seasonal fruit than just your average fruit bowl. Try it if you want a healthy add-on! Also: Make sure you tell your server you want to split your bill before you order your food, though!
(4)Lizzy S.
One of our favorite places to get breakfast! We first went here in 2011 and since then we've made it our mission to come back here again one day! Mind you, we were living in Jakarta, Indonesia back then... and now that we've relocated to Boston, we've been here twice in the past month :) My personal breakfast items favorite are their sweet pepper corned beef hash with sunny side ups on top + a side of challah french toast. My husband is more of the steak n egg guy. The next we come back, we'd really like to order fro their lunch/dinner menu.
(5)Michael C.
A main stay Somerville breakfast establishment. This place was remodeled years ago so long gone are the days when the owner, who operated this place with an iron fist, would call out patrons to leave quickly once they ate their last bite. After years of being away from this place the owner still remembered my face and greeted me with a free fresh fruit cup with my take out order. The must get item here is the Eggs Benedict, while everything else is great too you must try them. Simply outstanding. They do a mashed potato style hash brown that I am not as big a fan of though.
(5)Gladys C.
Just had bfast here this morning and everything was perrrrrfect!!! We came in here around 9am and we did not have to wait at all ( that's what you call a miracle in Somerville). We didn't get greeted until 15 mins after we sat down but we were all busy looking at the menu anyway. They had a large variety of pancakes/waffles/ french toast as well as your classic bfast items like omelette, Benedicts and burritos. I ended up ordering the fruit bowl and a side of triple berry pancakes. Boy were they good!! There was at least 5 different kinds of fruits in my bowl and it was really fresh. The bowl was as big as a cereal bowl jamm packed with fresh goodness! My pancakes were also decent sized with real chunky fruits in it. My other 2 friends got the omelette and eggs benedict and they were raving about it as well. The service was on point and friendly, I'd definitely come here again next time I visit home.
(5)Lauren W.
Back when I first started going to Sound Bites, it was about half the current size and the wait line often stretched around the block. The food was so good that there were many Saturday mornings where I stood in that that line for a ridiculous amount of time. It was just like that one Portlandia skit! Visiting Sound Bites was a must on my trip back to Boston, but this time we were smart and went on a weekday morning. Even with a group of 5, we got a table right away. One of my favorite things about Sound Bites is the do-it-yourself coffee bar. You just walk right up, grab any of the super cute colorful mugs and make it the way you want it. The day we were there they had two regular brews, one decaf, and about 4 flavored varieties. They also have different types of milk, sweeteners, and cinnamon! My favorite breakfast food is eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, many restaurants murder this dish, over-cooking the eggs and burning the Hollandaise sauce. Sound Bites is pretty much the gold standard for solid eggs bene. The yolk is always super runny and their Hollandaise is tangy & perfect! Because of this we did the only logical thing: order two of their special Benedicts and split them. Steve ordered the prosciutto, asparagus and tomato Benedict, which was great. The salt of the cured ham and the sauce were delicious together. I picked the Greek Benedict which contained tomato, spinach and feta cheese. Once again, the salt of the feta complimented the the hollandaise. And the yolk was SO RUNNY! I would also be remiss if I did not mention their no-place-like-home fries. It's different than any breakfast potato I've ever had. They fry and season the mashed potatoes so that the top gets super crispy while the center retains that creamy potato goodness. Sound Bites is still one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots ever. Located just outside of Davis Square, it is worth the little adventure for the perfect eggs Benedict.
(4)Tony M.
I had the Nutella Stuffed French Toast today, and it was Bomb.com !!! The service is incredible, the waiters are amazing and super friendly. What made my experience complete was meeting Yasser... Long story short, he's the MAN!!! Honestly I can't wait to go back there again.
(5)Naeema A.
Amazing food! Especially the Tunisian Omelette and the waffles! Prices are reasonable but I was paying the taxi more than what I am paying for the food! I didn't know how to reach it by train or bus! But once I've tried it with my friend I couldn't stop enjoying the food there! Please don't MISS it!!
(5)Niki K.
Visiting from buffalo and stopped here on a recommendation. We were impressed with self-serve drink bar, the prompt and courteous service and the over-the-top generosity of the owner. We ordered the broadway bowl (home fries, peppers/onions, avocados and over med eggs) and the golden grill (2 eggs, meat, hash browns and corn muffin) and then pancakes on the side. (We had a long drive ahead of us) I swapped in a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit (the best I've ever seen: mango, grapes, blueberries, banana, melon) and then we received a mimosa on the house. Can't beat good service to make you feel like it's somewhere you want to come back to. I wish I was hungry because I'd eat it all again.
(5)Lisa W.
I have been there 2x with 2 different groups of people and both times we were seated within a few minutes of our arrival. The food is fantastic. Our party ordered the basic 2 egg, 2 orders of eggs Benedict over lox, blueberry french toast and the pancakes with marscapone, the name of which is escaping me. And the hash browns - OM Goodness! more like a pan seared mashed potato cake! The service is excellent and the staff engaging, funny and friendly. I highly recommend - if there's a line, don't let it discourage you - they seat when your party is together so many of those people are waiting for others to join them. Enjoy!
(5)Melissa Y.
I've been here about three times now, and it's sort of the default breakfast joint, if you can't decide on where else to go. I would describe the food here as a good place to go if you're looking for comfort breakfast food. They do things here differently from other breakfast places that I've been to, like they have a coffee/tea station for you to fill up your mug yourself. You also have to get your own water. So they serve you food, but you have to get your drinks yourself. The service here is okay, but I wouldn't describe it as friendly. It's not a big deal, but something I've observed. During my last two visits here, I wasn't that impressed with their dishes. In my most recent visit, I ordered the greek eggs Benedict and I thought it tasted pretty good and it also came with hash browns. I think Sound Bites is a good place to go if you're looking for breakfast food, and they do offer other non-breakfast food, which I haven't tried, so you do have other options. Also, they serve alcohol here so it could be a nice place to watch a game.
(3)Wendy C.
After being a Ball Square Café fan for over a year, I thought I'd try Sound Bites and I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go back to Ball Square Café. The home fries are MY FAVORITE, the food comes out quick and everything I've had there has been DELICIOUS. The guy who seats you is a little curt and the service is no nonsense, unlike next door at Ball Square Café where you actually get service with a smile, but it's fast, efficient, no muss, no fuss. And reasonably priced and GREAT FOOD!!! Home fries - did I mention they were AMAZING????
(4)Jennifer N.
My step mother and I attended this place 6 years ago. One and only time I would think to have breakfast at this place. I had to try and find this joint& find out if it was still open& by some miracle it is. The owner or Sound Bite will forever stick out in my mind as the worst ending to a meal in a restaurant possible. Let's begin with a little detail in the menu "Fresh Fruit" is farrrrrrr from this mushy/frozen fruit. My step mother had asked ,when we were ordering, if the blueberries were in fake fresh, the owner who took our order reassured her they were. Food comes, honestly don't remember what I ate for breakfast but I'll never forget the blueberry pancakes my step mother ordered. Food came all is well, got through the meal just fine however, when my step mother inspected her pancakes she had discovered a lie was told about the "fresh" blueberries. She didn't touched the cakes and we asked for the bill. The owner came over with the bill pretty quickly considering there was only 4 other tables eating in the place. He started clearing the plates in a stack in front of him, while my step mother pulled out money to take care of the bill. He left the pancakes for last to clear away and when he went to pull it away he asked "Didn't you like the pancakes?!", since they were untouched. My step mother replied in the kindest she could put it, "I asked if the blueberries were fresh, and they certainly weren't". The owner went Hulk on the cakes grabbing them with his hand and squeezing/kneading the cakes like it was a dough. He kept shouting at us as we got up and left calmly. I've in too many years have never felt so disrespected during a meal in a restaurant. I've retold this story to too many people over the years because of how shocking everything went down at the Sound Bite. The detail I never remembered was the name of the place but with a little research I found this joint to be the place. Articles in the news tell of even more outrageous events at the place. Stay veryyyyyyy farrrrrrr, don't waste your money here. Im truly shocked this place hasnt gone out of business.
(1)Keyon R.
This place is as good as it gets for welcoming staff and top-notch food without all the "extra". Breakfast all day, full bar available, self-serve beverages, pretty great use of space and seating. Got the Tex-Mex omelet yesterday and it was edible magic. No need to doubt here. Stop reading these and do yourself a favor by visiting this place!
(5)Mark S.
Great food. OK service. I understand that weekend mornings are hectic, but when you own a breakfast joint that comes with the territory, no? I'd definitely go back and give it a second chance to prove me wrong.
(3)Robert M.
It's not a bad place to grab some breakfast, not such a great place to have dinner. I live close enough to consider it amongst the few breakfast spots in east Somerville. Nothing special about it, but nothing offensive either. You can only expect so much from eggs. With that being said, the night time sound bites leaves a bit to be desired. Sort of surly service and under salted, over cooked food. Try it out, you never know.
(3)Brooke H.
No line! Breakfast was good and good came out quickly. Bacon was eh. Fruit salad was fresh and delicious but everything else was just good.
(3)Sylvia G.
I really really really want to give this place 5 stars, because the food was great. I went at like 2pm on a Tuesday, so there was literally nobody else there. The food was really great, my toast was delicious, but I was incessantly harassed by the wait staff, and it made me feel really uncomfortable. I walked in to an empty restaurant, which was nice because I was aiming for a working lunch. Instead, the waiter kept asking me if I spoke Spanish, and even after I said yes but was clearly uncomfortable and continued to address him only in English, he would only speak to me in Spanish. Then, the chef came to bring my food over, and said something in Spanish, and I thanked him in Spanish. He wasn't even three feet away from my table when he yelled at the top of his lungs across the entire restaurant to the waiter and said "she does speak Spanish!" (in Spanish). WTF? For the rest of my time there, the waiter only addressed me in Spanish, and he came over a bunch of times, way more than were necessary. He kept trying to make small talk and was very aggressively hitting on me even though I was obviously not interested and clearly busy. He also blatantly stared at me the entire time I was there. All and all, I felt really uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure the bill was wrong, but I wanted to get out of there so bad that I just paid it and ran out the door. I didn't even feel comfortable paying with a credit card lest creepy lover-man learn my name, so I paid in cash. Sound Bites' breakfast-food is excellent. But don't go there to study for you Chemistry exam during down time because you'll most likely end up getting hit on by creepy, really rude dudes. I definitely won't be returning alone.
(1)Emily A.
Consistently delicious food with incredible service! We ordered a fruit bowl that could have fed 4 people for only $8! Then got a carafe of some of the best sangria Iv had in awhile for only $28! They never disappoint and is a great place to go at any time of day :)
(5)Dennis M.
I eat here occasionally, kind of a family thing... The breakfasts are very good barring the mashed potato grilled hash browns. In good weather I like to stop here in the evening for a beer.
(4)David B.
I've been a regular of soundbites for years. it's one of my favorite places. best brunch food you'll find anywhere and all the staff are awesome folks. Yasser the owner has always been super friendly and appreciative of the fact that we're back again.
(5)jodie z.
Soundbites bent over backwards to help me when I was ordering food for catering an event. They were so helpful and the food was so delicious, I would absolutely choose them again. Everyone kept raving about the food -- the baba ghanouj (sp?), the fruit salad, and wings. Thanks again, Soundbites!!
(5)Missy M.
I was really don't like Sound Bites. The food is totally average and really over priced. There is so many better and less expensive places around. Going to this place on the weekend is a clusterfuck. The last time I went on a Saturday afternoon, the tables were pushed SO close together, that the woman on my left kept bumping my table with her ass when she got up (which she did a lot, as the coffee is self serve, another thing I don't get or like). It wasn't even her fault. We were just TOO FREAKING CLOSE. The table on my right was literally less than 6 inches away. A family of three was seated there a little after we came, so our food came out before theirs. Their hungry little brat had his nose practically IN MY PLATE until their food came out. I was almost touching the kid. His parents seemed to think it was cute and hilarious. My order was a little bit messed up, and the wait staff was so crazy busy that they didn't come and check on us until we were almost done eating, so it wasn't worth it to ask them to fix it. I get that you're trying to maximize your profits, but doing it by shoving as many people as humanly possible into a space, understaffing, and overcharging is not the way to do it.
(2)Jack P.
there is a crowd for a reason so I cant hold that against them. Ive only done breakfast (no matter the time of day) and wow. great friendly service, on a few occasions the owner has checked in on my party and held a short conversation. Great options for what I guess u could call a breakfast combo. (cheese omlette, bacon, hash, and a grilled corn muffin) and I would think that there was a fruit stand behind the building.... don't go if youre not gonna get the fruit cup
(5)Paul B.
Great bfast spot, good good and help yourself drinks/coffee is great. Prices are Good, recommend the bfast bowl
(4)Joanna F.
Another update. I've been going to trivia at night every couple weeks at Soundbites. Yes, they have trivia and a full bar and dinner menu. Pretty awesome. The service at night is definitely insanely slow, but much more pleasant and they have a surprisingly good beer menu. So why the three stars? Long story short, the only good menu items are breakfast (which they serve all day). If you don't want to wait in a ridiculous line, but still want to experience breakfast here, go at night. That being said, last night I had an awful Cobb Salad. The chicken was cooked well, but it was covered in shredded cheddar cheese (where's the bleu cheese at), had absolutely no avocado even though it was on the menu and the "Italian dressing" tasted like vinegar. Only vinegar. Like... can't you go buy some store bought dressing? That being said, the hummus plate is very good and the trivia is really awesome. So 3.5. Slowly inching up, Soundbites.
(3)Kit Y.
Before my breakfast yesterday, I was warned that the servers here were jerks, so I had expectations of rude service. I was actually surprised to find them pretty nice. They even joked with us a little. Weird. First thing, my friends said we could get coffee while we wait. Cool, I love coffee. It wasn't bad either and it was unlimited, refill on your own. I love that. I hate going out for breakfast because vegan breakfasts are hard to come by and also, I can eat a damn bagel at home. So I came to Soundbites with the expectation of leaving hungry as well. But to my surprise I had a big breakfast and was satisfied and happy when I left. I had a fruit bowl, and you may be thinking, "how un-special." That was my first thought, but then it arrived and was loaded with two types of apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, bananas, mangoes, kiwis, and blueberries. The most surprising thing was that they were all incredibly ripe and sweet. That plus my bagel and I was pretty damn full after wards. So based on my breakfast alone, a 5. The cramped space, long line, I can live with.
(5)Dana B.
I used to be a die hard Kelly's fan and every time I walked by Soundbites on a weekend day, there was a line that stretched outside and around the corner of the block. I didn't get it. Then one Monday morning a friend of mine and I went in. He order Eggs Benedict with Lobster and I had the "Basic Plus" which is essentially your typical breakfast sampler of eggs, bacon, toast and home fries (that are like mashed potatoes!!!). We also got fresh fruit on the house which was, in fact, fresh and delicious. The service is very fast. You get your own drinks to save the waitstaff some time. It gets a little crowded in that section, but whatever. Your food is probably waiting for you when you get back. On a separate occasion, I ordered a vegetable pocket w/ melted cheese that was delicious. I'm not saying that you should wait the 3hrs or get up at 6am to enjoy a meal here on the weekends, but I am saying that I am lucky enough to not work on Mondays and can enjoy it. Oh, but they do deliver breakfast on the weekends too, so there is that :)
(5)Ali M.
My new favorite breakfast spot. I've been here twice and have really enjoyed the food each time, as have my friend and BF. I've tried the Tuscan Omelet, Blueberry Wheat Pancakes, and fruit plate. Good coffee too. I was skeptical after reading the reviews, but it sounds like this is not a hang around, read the paper, and sip your coffee kind of place...at least not on the weekend b/c it gets so busy. It's definitely a place where you can expect to get a good breakfast - and you'll be in and out. I haven't had any problems with the owner or other servers-they've actually been quite pleasant. It's a good casual atmosphere and usually quite lively. If you go during the week, it shouldn't be too crazy. I went on a weekend (on the early side - 10am) and didn't have a wait. When I was leaving around 11:15am, there was a line out the door. I'd recommend giving this place a try if you have time during the week. If you go on a weekend, be prepared.
(4)Bill C.
Great breakfast, fast and delicious. The line was a long one but it moved quickly, these guys know how to run a busy restaurant. I was able to have a chat with the owner while we waited for our table and he was as warm and friendly as my own farther. I'll definitely be back for seconds.
(4)R F.
Staff - Unfriendly, rushing waitstaff People - Hungover Tufts people Food - really good breakfast stuff for decent prices. I've only been here for breakfast. It's good, not too expensive, but very very long waits on some days/times, and the staff is awful, unfriendly, and lame. I won't mind if I never came back here. I like cooking for myself and my hungover family and friends anyway... hmph
(3)Kate M.
Pros: decent food, typical breakfast fare Cons: feel like cattle being herded while standing in line, then get barked at to place your order. Then get the check thrown at you. If you want to enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning, this is not the place to do it. They fully expect you to leave within 10 minutes of finishing eating and 5 minutes of getting the check. Don't even think about getting a refill on that coffee once the check is on your table...
(2)Eve L.
The place rocks. If someone complains about the service it probably means they: a) used a fucking cell phone while sitting at their table -- and I appreciate the owner's low tolerance for this despicably rude behavior b) are an overprivileged, entitled Tufts undergrad and need to be put in their place in the first place. But let's get down to business. This is one of the best breakfast places in Boston, EASILY. It gets voted Best in Boston year after year for a reason. The food is spectacular. Everything on the menu is wonderful. Literally. EVERYTHING. The Best Blue, the coconut chocolate chip pancakes, and the Moroccan eggs are some of my faves, but everything is good. Really. And to make things even better, it's one of the best bargains ANYWHERE in the Boston area. The service is splendidly efficient. It's a small place, so they keep things moving. You're there to eat, guys, so eat and get on with your lives. As result, even when there's a line out the door, you'll never have to wait more than 15 minutes. Ever. And the owner is very funny and friendly and will joke with you as he smokes outside and moves people along, especially if you become a regular.
(5)Eliz G.
I came here on a Saturday morning with three friends. Of course there was a wait and we had to wait outside for 10 or 15 minutes. The atmosphere was a little too college student intense for me, with 90% of the clientele appearing to be from Tufts. I ordered banana pancakes. They were good. My friends all got eggs that they enjoyed. I didn't expect much, it's a typical cheap breakfast place. I was slightly pissed that they charged me for tea when all I had was hot water. I know a lot of people like it, but there are other cheap breakfast places I prefer, like The Neighborhood. I'm not much inclined to go back.
(3)Allison M.
There is no better breakfast than the Avocado & Tomato Eggs Benedict at Sound Bites in my opinion - my mouth waters just thinking about it. My boyfriend orders the Black & Blue, a toasted blueberry muffin, bacon and cheese omlette - he loves it. I read the postings about service and in general, I think it's ok. Last Saturday we were annoyed when the busperson took my plates and drinks away while my bf was still eating. Overall, a great place.
(4)Etta M.
brunch is my favorite meal hands down and soundbites does it well. what is not enjoyable is wating in line and being hurried out. FEAR NOT MY FRIENDS!!! i have the secret to enjoying some amazing soundbites banana nut pancakes: no line, no waiting, no being rushed. - go during a snow storm. seriously. pull on your boots and make the walk if you can.. weekdays also are not all that bad. as for food: omlettes are great, stuffed french toast rocks my belly!!!
(4)Kezam O.
Well, this is somewhat embarassing to admit, but I was so in awe of the food that I ended up buying a t-shirt from here... I have never before in my life bought clothing in such a manner and I doubt it will happen again any time soon. I should contextualise this by saying that I had a "guide" who was familiar with Boston and could therefore explain the logic of this restaurant. Chances are you'll have to wait. You might also feel a little unwelcome. But you do get coffee while waiting and the food is great. And, to be honest, the people working there are just being quirky in their own way I guess...
(5)Steve M.
Anytime an oddball place gets a lot of attention, it's going to divide people into firm camps. For my part, I used to think that Sound Bites was awesome - worth the money, the curt service and crowded dining room, and at least some of the wait. The luster has faded recently, however, and I have no idea what the upcoming expansion is going to do for that (guessing nothing good). I love their grilled muffins, and some of the more popular items are quite good ("Boston's Best Blue"). Are they the best breakfast in Boston, as so often rated? Perhaps. If you can get there at off hours (weekday mornings, after 11 on weekends), you can skip a line that often stretches 30 feet. For the record, you'll find a wait that's just as bad at a lot of other local breakfast joints on a Sunday morning. You'll be rushed out no matter what, but if you want an experience, check it out. Decide for yourself.
(3)Susie C.
Soundbites never disappoints. The food is delicious and the portions are huge. They give a free plate of fresh fruit to every table, there is a full coffee bar where you can pour your own (lots of different flavors) into a mug or a take away cup. The hashbrowns are a giant wedge of baked mashed-potato goodness with a slightly crusted top...truly delivious. It's true that this place has a long line during peak weekend hours, but I do believe it is worth the wait. They have expanded and have more tables and more space to wait inside now. Highly recommend it. Best breakfast in the area.
(5)T H.
"Are you done with that? Can I take that plate?" "NO, FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M STILL WORKING ON THIS PLATE." This was definitely a common theme throughout brunch -- the stony-faced waitstaff kept trying to hustle our group of 6 out to make room for other diners, and we persistently refused to budge -- we were going to scrape up every last morsel of our awesome breakfast, and there was no way we were going to let the waiters take it from us before we were ready. I ordered the Eggs Benne (Toasted English muffin, Canadian Ham, Poached Egg, "Our own" Hollandaise sauce," served with home fries), the BF got the 2^3 combo (Two eggs any style, choice of meats, french toast, home fries), and everyone else had the same breakfast special: Avocado and Tomato Eggs Benedict. Yum-o. Everything was delicious, especially my ooey gooey eggs. I have to admit though, I wasn't a huge fan of the Canadian bacon -- it was a little too chewy for the melty eggs and soft English muffin -- next time I think I'm going to substitute it for smoked salmon, or maybe avocados. Also, not entirely sure how I felt about the home fries. Instead of the usual fried wedges, these were more like mashed potatoes in appearance and consistency, and while the flavor was good overall, there was a hint of tang that I couldn't identify and didn't quite like. Lemon? Vinegar? This is going to drive me crazy until my next visit. A tip for Sound Bites newbies: drinks are self-service. You want coffee? Get it yourself. Orange juice? It's chilling in the display fridge, so go help yourself. But don't think you can get away with downing as many drinks as you want for free -- the surly owner will be around at least twice to stare at your table and take note of the beverage situation.
(4)Brendan B.
I've lived in Somerville for four years and have still never been to their breakfast. It's legendary in these parts but whenever I drive by there is a line half way up the block. I've never gone because I have better things to do on a Sunday morning than stand in a line, like pray to our lord and savior Jesus Christ. I'm just kidding, that's for losers too. Anyway, we decided to have them deliver dinner the other night and wow, it really sucked. We ordered a pizza that looked like a 3 year old made it with playdough, but it didn't taste nearly as good. It was undercooked which I can understand because it was a Saturday night and I'm sure they were busy. But the peppers they put on top were not pre cooked. Everybody knows that you're supposed to cook the peppers first. Thus the peppers were half hard, like me when I watch E.T. My friend Sandra ordered the chicken tenders (even though she is a grown up) and they came with a side order of disgusting. The mousaka............pretty good. Maybe these guys should stick to the food of their Middle Eastern homeland and leave the pizza to the Red Barron, or Mama Celeste.
(2)Walker D.
Sound Bites... bites. This is hands down the most overrated restaurant in Boston. Yes, the food is pretty good. Not great - pretty good. I'll concede that their chef knows what's up. But in order to eat this good-not-great food, you have to endure one of the most heinous restaurant experiences you'll ever find. The wait times here are outrageous, and they make no apologies. The pricing is a little steep for the quality. But most of all, the service at Sound Bites is absolutely atrocious. Running a restaurant with this level of service is reproachable. Banking on the reputation they've somehow built, Sound Bites no longer cares about treating people well, they just want to turn the tables and get the next person in. You're just a number. If you leave and never come back, they'll still have a line out the door every Sunday. The servers are inattentive, impersonal, and at times outright rude. I once had a waiter take my plate while more than one bite of my bagel was still in my hand. I've been back several times at other peoples' insistence and never once been remotely impressed. There's other good food to be had in the city without all the hassle. Go find it.
(1)Kim L.
I will agree with the masses: Sound Bites serves good food. Yes, yes, yes. This is a fact that I will not dispute. The food is fast, it is delicious, it is affordable. I will also say that the french toast is to die for. Why? Because they use challah. This is their secret, and what a wonderous secret it is. Aside from the french toast, pretty much everything on the menu is delicious (lunch items included)...though the breakfast items are by far their specialty (don't even get me started on the STUFFED french toast). And now the reason for only 4 stars: I hate waiting. Even more so than waiting, though, I hate being rushed out after waiting. Sure, I understand the reasons behind the rushing. And yet...I still hate being rushed. I am definitely glad for the ability to grab a cup of joe while I'm waiting and even more glad for the prompt (as prompt as possible) seating. But the rushing, the pressure to leave as soon as I've sat down, really warrants only 4 stars. Bottom line: If i wasn't rushed out, I'd have given 5 stars.
(4)Dic D.
Wicked crowded on the weekends. Crappy service. Tables right on top of each other. Kids screaming. Yuppies. You get rushed out as soon as you sit down. Food can be ok.... if you can overcome the downsides.... Go next door.
(2)Medford L.
I am upset, I had never tried potato's let alone for breakfast. Now I am an addict. Great food, but the manager/owner is an absolute nut, he scars the patrons. I started my love of this place while he was away for whatever reason, his return has sent me to Ball Square Cafe, and the Broken Yok. Yasser, go on vacation and I will be back with friends.
(4)Aaron D.
Soundbites... not much more to be said, 100+ reviews, everyone knows about it, yadda yadda yadda. If you don't mind the bustling atmosphere and the possibility of a wait (dress accordingly for the weather, you could be waiting outside), it's a great breakfast spot. Now that they've moved into a larger area, the line is shorter and moves faster than it used to. The larger space also allows diners to actually swallow their food after eating rather than being rushed out with the food still in their throats. I really like the self-serve beverage system, you don't have to rely on anyone else to refill your coffee or water, and you can take a minute to decide what to get. Though that may not be for everyone. As far as the food, there are tons of options (omlettes, eggs benedict, pancakes/waffles) and the portions are more than adequate. I always insist that newcomers try out at least one of the following side orders: homefries, grilled blueberry muffin, or the fresh fruit. None of those will let you down.
(4)Dany S.
I was introduced to Soundbites about 3 months ago and I have to say they have the best brunch around! I live in boston but drive every Sunday morning (or early afternoon) all the way there just to eat brunch. They make their breakfast delicious, mostly the swine and Swiss omlet. If you haven't been, I suggest taking time on a Sunday and stopping by!
(4)Marina P.
I love Sound Bites - it is by far one of my favorite breakfast places anywhere. Everything I've ever ordered here has been great but I am a huge fan of the eggs benedict - especially with smoked salmon. They are also extremely generous with their fruit plates. People complain about the abrupt service but the staff is all about getting peope their food quickly. Also, I am a huge fan of Yassir the owner - he may seem rough around the edges, but once he gets to know you as a frequent customer, he treats you like gold. 4 stars instead of five only because I've waited on some super long lines - the food is certainly worth the wait but standing outside in Boston in February can be seriously brutal.
(4)Crystal S.
My top reason for 3 stars: I have mixed feelings as I write this review. Some things about Sound Bites warrant a 4, some things a 2, hence the 3, it's between 2 and 4 in case you never knew. My top reason for 2 stars: While you're waiting, you get rained on and become bitter, when you're eating your meal, people are glaring at you while they stand over you and don't close the door so that all of the cold air rushes in. My top reason for 4 stars: They use real fruit on their waffles!! REAL FRUIT!!!!! ok. I'm done.
(3)Joel O.
The food here is good but it is always jammed and you can't linger at a table. Once I was actually chastised for getting a second cup of coffee. Despite that, I keep going back for those addicting fried mashed potatoes.
(3)Michael B.
This used to be our preferred breakfast joint, but it has evolved into a dinner favorite for us. Large portions of tasty food, and you can still get breakfast at dinner time. (Martini with your waffle?)
(5)Isaac M.
Lines can get crazy for weekend brunch, but the food is amazing and well-priced.
(4)Katie H.
The latest reviews on this place are pretty scathing, but I'd have to say I couldn't disagree more. I'm also not sure how I managed to live up the street from here for 2 years and never have eaten there! I guess the only time I've thought about going is when I walk by on a weekend and have to push through the lines of people. But on a weekday morning? No problem! My dad and I got there around 10am and there was a sign inviting you to seat yourself while grabbing silverware and a menu for yourself. The coffee was also self-serve so that you could have a never ending cup of it. All other drinks/juices are in a cooler that you could go up to and choose from the 40 or so juices. Good for me since I'm a strictly no pulp in my oj girl, so I could choose what was good for me. We were also served a fruit plate on the house, just as everyone else had been. It was a great snack while we waited for our meals. I went for the Asparagus and Tom Bene - eggs benedict on a grilled english muffin, layered on top of a tomato slice, covered in hollandaise sauce and served with "homefries" (which yes, they were mashed potatoes but i looooved them!) The serving was a perfect size to get full, but not want to return home immediately for a mid-morning nap. I will definitely return for a mid-week brunch, probably still never on the weekends. But in terms of whats available in the neighborhood, this is the place to go for less standard brunch choices, while Kelly's is still good for the greasy spoon, eat enough to last you the day kind of brunch.
(5)Teju P.
My friends were raving about this place, so we finally got together and went for brunch. At first I was not impressed because I had to stand in line with noone taking our name down. But the owner was very good about seating people quickly! I had the Tusian omlette with egg whites which was so different and tasty! I also stole a pancake from my friend's plate. The strawberries were fresh and not frozen! The only thing they did forget was our mimosas. One thing to keep in mind is they added gratuity to the bill because we were a party of 5.
(5)Joshua G.
You freeze your ass off waiting in line. And then they push you out the door if you don't eat rapidly enough. Service is rude.
(1)D. Z.
I stopped in for weekday lunch. No crowds. Parking is tricky unless you have a permit, but the meal is worth the hunt. Breakfast all day and a nice selection of breakfast standards, sandwiches, wraps, soup. Mediterranean-inspired twist - falafel, hummus, baba gahnosh, etc. Nice atmosphere inside, with serve-yourself coffee. I had a sandwich - very generous servings for the price and good. Before our meals arrived, we were given a small plate of fruit to share and they also sampled the pancake of the day (raspberry & cream cheese - yum). Service was excellent, too. I'm no fan of lining up for my food, so I'll stick to off-hours. Hope to see you there, too!
(4)Anne C.
Delicious food, great bloody marys, superb ambiance. Love it, love it, love it. Went for brunch; will definitely return to try dinner.
(5)Andrew B.
I really can't see what all the fuss is about. The food was not spectacular, the place is crammed and who the hell wants to be rushed through Sunday brunch? The service is good and the free coffee while waiting is nice, but I think many are just on such a caffeine high from drinking coffee on an empty stomach that when they finally get in out of the cold you could feed them a cracker and it'd be the "best damn cracker EVAR!" I'm on to your tricks, Sound Bites, and no amount of stimulants will make me rate you better... evar.
(2)Kat A.
For breakfast, this place cannot be beat. The people who run the place are super-nice. I only had lunch there once and it was not as great as breakfast, but it was still pretty darn good. And, I don't know who decided this place is not good for kids--there are tons of kids and families that go there, and no one seems to mind at all.
(4)Gordon C.
We go there for breakfast or brunch pretty often, and it is just so good. Their no place like homefries hit the spot every time, and small parties can get seated pretty quickly. I've never had a problem with the service, either. The food comes pretty fast and they have always been friendly to us. Go here!
(5)Mona A.
I really don't get the hype around this place. Believe me, I have given this place a second and a third chance, just because of all the people talking great things about it and it was right in my backyard when I used to live in Somerville. The food is not that great. The eggs are greasy and rubbery. The french toast was nothing to write home about. The homefries...a blob of fried mashed potatoes...bleh. Where have the homefried red skin potatoes gone!! The scones are way better in Carberry's. The service is attrocious. One time, they asked us if we were done when we still had half eaten food in front of us. I had half a mind to ask them to pack it for me if they were going to be rude enough to boot me out of the place when I wasn't even done. Yes, there's a long line outside. But, I served my time in that line too. Atleast, let me eat in peace!! Honestly, save yourself some time and angst and go to True Grounds right across. Much better coffee, better service and attitude. If you are looking for a full service brunch place, go to Rene's. Hands down, much better food. Service is a hit or miss. But, atleast they are not rude there, just overwhelmed and busy. If you have to go here, go on a weekday, atleast you'll get better service and they won't rush you out.
(2)chelsea h.
a---- mazing breajfast food! there's always a long wait on the weekends, but it is definitely worth the wait! just be prepared to order what you want when you sit down because they are constantly herding people in and out of there, and they don't like having to wait to long for you to make up your mind or chit chat too long once you are done.
(4)Rich W.
***Update*** With the "new" Sound Bites next door, he's having some growing pains training new staff and getting used to the larger seating area. The kitchen is cooking food as fast as it can and I spoke with Yasser about it and he plans on buidling another kitchen for the weekends. So the delays will go away in time. The quality of food is still there!!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE! I've been a regular for a while now and I have to say it's one of the best breakfast places around. If you're looking for the standard eggs and pancakes...go somewhere else! If you're looking for fresh food, a variety of options, and some entertaining staff, come here. Yes, Yasser is much like the soup nazi but he also can be the nicest guy in the world. Every time I go in, he remembers who I am and always shakes my hand and hugs my fiancee. He remembers that we order a fruit bowl and that comes out usually before our order is even taken. He can be rough around the edges...look at the menu while in line - which is usually about 10ish minutes if you're waiting for a table for 2 and about 20ish minutes if you're waiting for a table for 4. I've never seen anyone wait longer than that and have never, ever seen anyone stand in line for 40 minutes as some posts suggest. Weekends are busy - especially Sunday. Get your coffee while you wait in line. That's a big perk. Food is awesome...fruit is always fresh and I've never, EVER had a bad breakfast here. Always leave full of great food. I seriously think I'll invite Yasser to my wedding to keep the guests in line. :)
(5)Jenny L.
I saw this place on the Food Network and decided to try it out for brunch. There are no reservations and no waiting list so you just have to wait in line. The line does move pretty quickly and you can grab a cup of coffee while you're waiting and pay for it with your meal. I had the Fluffy Challah French Toast and have to say that overall I was pleased with my meal. There are lots of choices on the menu and everything we ordered was hot and fresh. My biggest complaint is that you have to serve yourself drinks. It wouldn't be so bad except that the place is small and cramped and it's a struggle to get your cup of coffee back to the table without spilling. Overall, I enjoyed my meal but didn't feel like the restaurant provided much else. And the price was probably a little high given what you're getting with regards to food and atmosphere.
(3)Dan S.
I had dinner there tonight. We ordered a pizza not knowing it would be made across the street and brought over. Also, they had one waiter/host/busboy for the whole place. Not one of each. Just one. At 8pm. On a Friday night. Horrible service. Mediocre food. Never again. It didn't help that we sat for 20 minutes at our table while others who walked in after us had drinks and their order taken before we even got menus.
(1)Joseph D.
Possibly the best breakfast place in the Boston area. With one exception, everything I've tried on the menu has been fantastic (the blueberry pancakes were a little dry last time, but I've had too many positive experiences for that to really count). I've come here with big groups, small groups, and also at night. The bar is actually pretty nice, which was a surprise. I love how the coffee is bottomless, and I love when Yassir, the owner, brings fruit to the table and says, "On the house." Yes, you will probably have to wait for a table on a weekend morning, but it's well worth it.
(5)molly f.
Sound bites is good, solid breakfast establishment. On the rare occasion we venture up to Somerville for breakfast, this place (or Kelly's) is usually our go-to, although I hear a new place, Ball Square Cafe has opened as well. The menu offerings at Sound Bites are a pretty big range. From no-nonsense eggs, toast & bacon...to stuffed goat cheese french toast with pears. Something for everyone, I suppose. A unique aspect of Sound Bites is their Beverage Bar. While the staff serves you food....you get yourself your drink. From 10 different flavors of coffee, fresh juice, hot teas, bottles of sodas, juices, etc...and all the accessories you need, you can get them yourself at the Beverage Bar. One word of caution- the prices here are oddly steep, so be prepared for that. Some things are very reasonable, but each time we are surprised at how much we pay for such simple fare.
(3)Liz D.
The thing about Sound Bites is that they have good food but it's a little pricey for what it is and they have really long waits on the weekend. I don't mind having a self-service beverage station but I don't like that I have to pay $2.50 for a cup of tea that I make myself, that seems a little steep (no pun intended) for a tea bag and some hot water. The potatoes are really good!
(3)Melissa W.
It's an experience, alright? And if you move away from the area without having ever waited in the line that extends down the block, around the corner, huddled and shivering with your hands cupped tightly around your cup of coffee for 40 minutes, you haven't lived here. The food is tasty. Rich. And reasonably priced. It's not gourmet, per se, but like I said, it's affordable. And they'll add avocado to anything you want. But beware! This is a hustlin' establishment, not a place for mellowing out. What can I say? It gets my blood pumping on a Sunday morning.
(4)Jennifer R.
My first impression upon turning around the corner for brunch this morning was shock at seeing a ten person line outside the restaurant. Clearly, this place has good reviews, and I definitely see why. Inside (the line moves fairly quickly; we were waiting for about fifteen minutes) its cozy and the service is very friendly. You go get your own drinks, which does have its set backs, but I mean honestly it's not that bad. The food was DELICIOUS - I had french toast stuffed with banana and nutella, and a side of eggs. Meanwhile, my mother had the most amazing scrambled eggs complete with literally the best "homefries" (glorified mashed potatoes) that I've ever had. It was absolutely fabulous. The wait is a little annoying, and the service was sometimes slow, but if you time it right, it should be fine. If you're looking for a great brunch place in the Davis/Porter area, this is absolutely it.
(4)BJ W.
Don't let the hype of the new place next door get to you. This is the original and still the best. The hashbrowns are killer and they now have a bar. And if you don't feel like going out (during the week), they will deliver, too. Does it get any better?
(5)Sara C.
Went here in the middle of winter and def hit the spot. Got the stuffed pancakes, wayyyyy too much food. Other people at my table got something different than they had ordered - close but not what the description said. Worth another shot.
(3)Rinn S.
Three stars may sound harsh given how much people looooove this place, but Sound Bites has some intense competition for my breakfast dollar. And they frankly do not live up to the hype. And by hype I mean the long line of people who are willing to wait for half an hour in the cold to eat here. I'm sorry, but its not worth the line. The food is pretty good (home-fries are the high point), but its crowded with too many tables and people, the place is small so you get a freezing draft every other minute when the door opens, and the wait staff rush you SO much that I've had my plate taken out from under me as I lifted food to my mouth. Not cool. If you want quality food in a non-sucky environment, venture further afield to Town Deluxe, brunch at Johnny D's, the basic Kelly's diner down the street, Tommy Doyle's for Irish style breakfast, Brookline Lunch, Centre St. Cafe, hell I've even had a better time at El Guapo right next door when I gave up on the line. Bostonians, you can do better.
(3)Doug A.
OK, I finally made it to this place on a Sunday morning to see what the fuss is about. The self-serve coffee was typical bitter diner brew -- I've had much worse is about the best I can say. Our orders were taken and delivered promptly. My challah french toast was a bit rubbery, but was covered with a very generous mound of fresh fruit slices and whipped cream. My wife's egg was runny and underdone. When the owner came over to ask how our meal was, she started to mention the egg and he turned and walked away in mid-sentence. Sorry, Mister Egg Artiste, for harshing your buzz! We won't be coming back anytime soon.
(2)Robert Z.
One of the many joys of fatherhood has been re-discovering Sound Bites. Come here at 11:00 on a Saturday, and you'll be fighting for a table with hundreds of Tufts undergrads and Somerville hipsters. But, when your toddler drags you out of bed at 6:00 on your day off, you might as well treat yourself to a hot cup of joe and a stack of fluffy hot cakes in peace. The often-abrupt staff is even a little more laid back in the early mornings, when there's not a massive line of customers staring them down at the door. Who knew that the stroller set owns this joint from dawn until about 10:00?
(5)Bevin C.
Before you go to Sound Bites, look deep within yourself and answer the following questions: Are you unphased by people swarming around you while you eat? Do you consider it reasonable to wait in line for half and hour for breakfast? Do you love hashbrowns that are like griddle-fried twice baked potatoes? Do you mind paying ten bucks for breakfast? ...if you answered yes to the above questions, you'll really like Sound Bites. If you answered no, skip it and let the masses swarm to Sound Bites without you. Trust me, they don't need your business.
(3)C. N.
Sound Bites gets all the fame it deserves for breakfast. Go. HOWEVER: They expanded into the neighboring spot and have become a breakfast lunch dinner spot now. This is good for breakfast, because there are more seats now and Yasser doesn't have to be a dick and rush you out. As much. Old habits are hard to break. Lunch and dinner at this place, however, is straight up awful. Like they can't do a cheeseburger awful. Soggy french fries and frozen enchiladas awful. And they DO NOT do breakfast past breakfast time, regardless of what they might tell you on the phone. So here's the recommendation for Sound Bites. Stick with what you know, and be a breakfast all day long place. Your lunch and dinner food is awful. Your breakfast is why you exist. Do what you do well, and people will come. There are no other breakfast all day long places anywhere near you, and you will have a niche. But if you try to keep serving that awful, awful dinner menu, you will go broke.
(3)Susan D.
Why wait in line for half an hour for ordinary food? Sorry, but I can cook just as well as they do. It is breakfast, forchristsake. Done with the rant. Okay, they have decent omelletes and you can drink your coffee in a real cup like you would if you were at home, which is where you should stay to save yourself from this highly overrated disappointment. Understandably, this is a Tufts staple. Its reputation as the must-have breakfast experience confounds me. I have had similar food, at similar prices in San Diego (Greenflash), though at least I got an ocean view. What do they have offer?!
(2)Deborah S.
I will never eat at Sound Bites ever again. Getting a decent breakfast is not worth being belittled. I was actually harrassed by the owner. Tufts students~ this place is not worth it! There are so many better breakfast spots in the neighborhood, Ball Sq. Breakfast, Johnny D's, and the Rosebud to name a few. Please stop giving your money to this man! What he does isn't right.
(1)Dragony F.
Me versus: 3 large apple-cinnamon pancakes, a slice of orange and a bottomless cup of coffee, $8.36 Who wins? me and my pangs for a traditional American breakfast of sugar and fat (which is a good thing!) So I fulfilled my sudden desire for a sweet start to my Sunday morning. Initially, I wanted to go to Simon's or True Ground but they weren't open so I hopped across the street to try Sound Bites, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Arrived here at ~7:30 AM and there were maybe 4 other people in the place (mainly seniors). Not surprisingly, the place got much busier as the morning wore on. Apple cinnamon pancakes = not the best pancakes I have ever had but they did the job, plenty of sliced apples, tons of cinnamon, not very fluffy but not completely flat either, didn't have much flavor but loads of butter and syrup helped. Coffee = pretty good for a diner plus they have mugs and take out cups so you can fill up to go after you're done with your meal since they're BOTTOMLESS! Grab your silverware and coffee before you sit down cuz they don't bring it. Service was brisk and effective. While it wasn't exactly a cheap greasy spoon breakfast, I'll probably return to try their extensive breakfast menu (maybe something savory next time)
(3)Anthony L.
good, not great, food. fast service.
(3)Mare F.
I suggest trying it for dinner if you want the Sound Bites experience with neither the crowd nor the wait of brunch time. My partner and I like to drop in when we don't feel like cooking, since it's just around the corner and we've never had to wait for a table. It's full table service at dinner and you don't have to get your own drinks. The entrees I've tried have had a nice home-style recipe taste. It's like going to grandma's for supper without the lecture on your lifestyle choices. Everything on the menu will be something you recognize, and they've pretty much taken the most popular comfort foods from Middle-Eastern, Italian, Mexican and American cuisine and mixed it all together on one menu. The hummus is absolutely delicious and I could make a meal of it. My partner often gets the meatloaf, and it tastes just like when I make it at home. He also enjoyed the baked haddock. I usually get the ravioli, and once I ordered the calamari appetizer as an entree and was completely satisfied. The portions are generous and I usually end up taking half of whatever I ordered home to have for lunch the next day. I've never tried the desserts, and I have to be *very* full to say no to baklava. I wouldn't say drive 3 hours from Western Mass for it, but if you live in the neighborhood and you just want and old favorite dish for dinner that isn't take-out-y, I think it's a great option to have right nearby.
(5)Derek W.
My buddy Matt C. turned me on to this place after I tried (and was disappointed by) Ball Square Cafe and I finally tried it this morning. Let me tell you, Soundbites is better in basically every way. The sweet pepper corned beef hash was amazing (the best I've ever had). I'm so used to corned beef hash being way too salty, but this one was perfectly seasoned. It had a really nice crust on it too. My eggs were cooked correctly (over easy) and were excellent with a little hot sauce. I tried the smashed homefries which I thought were pretty good at Ball Square and was blown away by how much more flavor they had here. The decor and atmosphere were a little more unique and homey, as well, which I really liked. They also have a full bar, something you don't see at most breakfast-y places. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that that the original is better than the imitator, but I am a little surprised that it's so much better. Great job Sound Bites; I'll be back for sure!
(5)Nicole M.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. Sadly, I've only been twice I think because we like to do brunch with a bunch of people, and this place just can't accommodate us all since they're always so packed on the weekends. But the times I have been there were fantastic, the food was amazing! No, there's not much to it and the wait is long and the service grim, but for me, totally worth it.
(4)Alyssa N.
I became an instant fan when E and I were seated within 3 minutes of arriving for brunch on a busy Sunday. The menu reminded me of the Modern Diner in Pawtucket - stuffed French toast, elaborate pancakes, creative versions of Benedict... The Hollandaise sauce on my Green Eggs no Ham (eggs Benedict with spinach) wasn't too rich and the spinach was fresh. The home fries at this place were more like mashed potatoes and would've been perfect if not for all the garlic. I'm also a big fan of the self-serve juice/coffee/tea bar.
(4)Erin S.
Hands down best french toast ever. Thick slices of bread with a hint of cinnamon and orange zest. Pile on amazingly fresh and exotic fruits and you have the most amazing and satisfying breakfast ever. The coffee is delicious and self serve, which apparently some people dislike, but I enjoy - it allows you to mix and match flavors without seeming weird. I have never had a problem with service - you sit down, you order, you're served. I didn't need more than that, so goal achieved. We also had the eggs benedict with avocado and tomato which was also delicious. Do they draw a crowd? Yes, but why is that a negative? Clearly, people are waiting in line for a reason! I have never had to wait - we've been lucky and have always just missed the rush. Is the service fast and seemingly rushed at times? Yes, but it's interesting that the same people complaining about the wait are then complaining about feeling rushed. Hello!?!? You can't have it both ways people. This isn't a leisurely Sunday brunch place. It's a popular, fast, cheap, fresh and delicious diner breakfast in a college kid filled neighborhood. Get in, fill your belly, get out, stop whining. If you're a waitress staring down a line wrapped outside of people staring down the patrons sitting inside, you'd probably try to move things along also. I took off one point because the tables are so close together that the person behind me bumped me every time they moved. Other than that, a delicious and satisfying experience.
(4)Jacob E.
I guess there are two types of people in Boston, the kind that love Sound Bites, and the kind that will eventually get thrown out (although I think the owner has mellowed in the last couple of years). For what it's worth, this is the place I bring New Yorkers to show them that we understand brunch in this city. Anyway, there's nothing I could say about Sound Bites that hasn't been said funnier in other comments, so I'll just make some menu recommendations: the Best Blue is a solid choice, the stuffed french toast is great, and make sure somebody in your group orders the hash browns -- they're garlicky and delicious. And seriously, do us all a favor and decide what you're going to eat while you're waiting in line.
(5)Paula G.
Imagine, I am giving my friend tips on Godiva Choclate while I look at the huge bottle of a Godiva Bottle. I adore this place from the coffee to the breakfast (eggs over eazy etc....
(5)C.M. M.
Great food! Nice breakfast menu - try the burrito.
(4)amule l.
It is pure and simple, you better check this place out! Great food and atmosphere. A must check out place for all newcomers to Somerville.
(4)H S.
Brunch here, like other reviewers will attest to, is unreal. Everything is stuffed and fruited-out and it's awesome. Coffee is bottomless and reallllly good. The staff seems a little clueless and scattered, and the place itself is pretty cramped and bustling, but it's a really good deal for a really good brunch.
(4)Greg D.
Ok, still don't like the pancakes but the rest can be very good. I can vouch for the eggs and stuffed french toast -- both very tasty -- so boosted this place to 3 stars.
(3)John H.
Breakfast is a pretty simple meal to cook. Just don't burn anything. They didn't burn or otherwise over/under cook anything, so there's the second star. I just didn't taste quality in the ingredients in waffles or omelets. Everything tasted like premixed or precooked. I am always surprised to see the lines there as I drive by on weekend mornings. I think the owner was the one who collected our money. He seemed to be upset about something and that he was doing us a favor by taking our money. I'll never bother him again.
(2)Anonymous P.
I should state that I'm not a fan of breakfast foods. Sound Bites didn't make me come around. The banana nut pancakes were...well...pancakes. They were fine, even pleasant, but I don't see what's so remarkable about them. I'd even say they were slightly flawed in that the banana was so underripe in places that it was bitter and tannic. The noplacelikehomefries, as everyone says, are fried mashed potatoes. I doubt that America will experience a fried mashed potatoes craze any time soon, but they were OK. The turkey sausage was mundane. Service was actually friendly and smiley. Everything was fine, but all the reviews (not just on this site) make it sound like it's a must go destination, and I don't see that. I found the Middle Eastern food they serve for lunch terrible. Bland, dry falafel with a foul tasting tahini sauce. Mediocre pita bread. Poorly executed salad with an unpleasant salad dressing. Really this place is ludicrously overhyped. I can't believe people wait in line to eat standard bacon, eggs, and pancakes. You can get a much better, less filling breakfast with the world's best coffee for a lower price at True Grounds across the street.
(2)Dorie C.
I've been coming to Sound Bites religiously for well over a decade. Their homefries are the best I've ever had--semi-garlicky mashed potatoes fried on a grill with a crispy top. Need I say more? The waffle is topped with an outrageous amount of fruit and whipped cream and the omelets are very, very hearty--favorites include the Tunisian (olives, feta, tomato) and Art, Tom & Jack (artichoke, tomato and monterey jack cheese). The prices are great. Lines are long on weekend mornings, so it's advisable to come before 10am if you want to avoid a wait.
(5)Rachel J.
Great brunch food! So many options! Good if you have a large group who wants lunch or breakfast.
(4)Jon R.
Food: 5 stars Staff: 0 stars The food can't be beat, as evidenced by the people lining up around the block. Unfortunately, the staff and owner know this, and think it gives them permission to be jerks. If you want to have a nice relaxing brunch, this is not the place to go. If you want to be rushed through your meal, get your own coffee (and have to fight with the guy to get a cup of ice for iced coffee in the summer, despite it being on the menu), and be crammed in to a tiny space, have fun. Go early or late in the morning, preferably on Saturday. If you go on Sunday after 11, good luck.
(2)Jill C.
Not really sure why people love to wait in line, outside, to eat what every other breakfast place offers, this is a great wonder of mine. I refuse to go back to Sound Bites becuase it seems like everytime I go to this place I end up waiting 1 hr for food, AFTER ORDERING!! Sorry, but the complimentory fruit bowl, just is not cutting it anymore. The last time I was in, the line outside was only a little outragous, so we waited. When my boyfriend and I got sat, the waitress put us at the corner bar - him on one side, me on the other (forced to pratically makeout with the huge pole in front of my face). Everyone around us seemed to have been waiting endless minutes for their food, so we sort of knew what we were in for. After about 30 minutes it got a little ridiculous, but 50 minutes, without an explination or an apology, out right rude. Don't you think it is necessary to expand your kitchen if you are expanding your dining room? I would think so. I don't see SB doing so well, seeing how their competition next door, Ball Square Cafe, has VERY fresh food and excellent service. If anyone wants to avoid the montrosity of a wait and get some REALLY great breakfast (and lunch for that matter) Ball Square Cafe is the way to go. Sorry Sound Bites, ya' lost us.
(1)Wham S.
There seem to be a lot of negative reviews for Sound Bites. I can see where some would be put off by the speedy pace. Personally, I love it. I've never been one to enjoy hanging out after eating anyway (as my wife can attest.) The food is great, often full of fresh fruit, and very tasty. The prices are reasonable. Try the fresh fruit bowl! It's enough for the whole table and well worth it. They used to be in the tiny little place next door, and sure, they rushed you out, but that's part of the character of the place. The owner and waiters in their classy striped pants are awesome. They've now moved next door, after their last landlord kicked them out to open up their own little breakfast cafe. Pretty underhanded maneuver. The guy even stole some of Sound Bites' menu. I won't go to that place on principle. Fortunately, Sound Bites was able to take over the mexican restaurant right next door, which is a much bigger place. The decor is still very much mexican. :) There's a reason why there's nearly ALWAYS a line out the door of Sound Bites in the morning. Good food, cool atmosphere, awesome ownership and service.
(5)Jen H.
I went here for breakfast during a weekday. First off, there was no crowd so they let us sit wherever. They have a great selection of help-your-self coffee. The people I went with really enjoyed the pumpkin coffee. I ordered the cafe mocha, decaf, which was yummy. After the drink, I could not sit still so I'm pretty sure the drink was not decaf. Oh well. I ordered the french toast. The french toast was heavenly! My friends ordered a fruit bowl, huge, and pancakes. The food came out quickly and everyone was happy. I like this place because it's low key, cheap prices, and great food.
(4)Sandi H.
HOSTILE OWNER. That sums it up. Decent food but at this point I could care less. Me and 3 friends were seated today at 10:15am. The service was fast but unfriendly. We'd heard that there would be a line out the door and were glad to see that the line was shorter (indoors) and that there was even room at the bar to eat if things were really backed up. When they dropped the check, one friend scooped it into his hand and said "my treat". Over the next 10 minutes, 3 different people asked if we had gotten the check. The 4th time, it was the owner who asked (I think he was the owner) and I said to him "Yes, we have it, and you're the 4th person to ask." He went NUTS. Started yelling, and he said "the next time you see a long line you will know that you can't sit here for hours and keep people waiting". Um, we'd been there barely 45 minutes, and like I said, half the bar was empty AND the line was about 4 parties deep indoors. We probably "lingered" post check 5-10 min tops. We got up to leave. Other tables looked up at him as he yelled "don't be angry." We hadn't said another word after my comment. We smiled and nodded at the people staring and left. We stood out on the sidewalk talking about where to go next (we were all seeing a friend in town from Milwaukee for the first time in 3 years). That's when we got a real shock. The owner came outside and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me on the sidewalk and said "Just to be clear, I am not rude, you are rude. You were very rude." I nodded and said "ok". Then he started to walk back in. When he got to the door, he turned around and started yelling at me again. "You are selfish. You are very selfish. TO eat one hour and keep people waiting, that is selfish. I don't ever want to see you come back here again. I don't want you as a customer. Go next door next time." People on the street turned to look at him. We all stood there literally with our jaws hanging open. One friend said "Did that really just happen?". I feel that I should say that I am a female customer, and his coming out to stand next to me and yell felt pretty aggressive. Maybe my comment that he was the 4th person to ask about the check was a little bit of push back, but I don't think it warranted a hostile attack. And, for him to exit the building after I had left just to yell at me was something he initiated after the fact. So- you know what? I liked the self-serve coffee (no waiting), I liked the food, and the menu is interesting and creative. I wanted to try just about everything on the menu and would have gone back again to do so. But being screamed at by an owner with a character disorder? No thanks.
(1)Gloria C.
Dear Sound Bites was an integral part of my college experience. Not only did I learn that some things in life are worth waking up before noon for, but it introduced me to warm grilled blueberry muffins smothered with butter. Oh my goodness. Oh. my. goodnesssss.
(4)Arun C.
I've been hearing about this place for a while, but finally got the chance to try it out this morning. My friend and I got there after the brunch rush (2ish) so we weren't subjected to the brisk treatment my friends had warned me about. I had the pear & goat cheese stuffed French toast with a side of their homefries and a cup of fresh squeezed oj. It was all excellent and reasonably priced.
(4)sara m.
wow I wish I got to see the owner swearing at people! I love sh*t like that. He's always been super nice (my boyfriends been going here for a million years so they always exchange pleasantries). So I guess if you are eating here and see a long line of people waiting and they bring you your order in 5 minutes flat eat it and be on your merry way. As for the food, anything with avocado or fruit is the way to go. The mash potato hash browns are fantastic. Portions are huge, if you try to be a hero and finish your plate you will need a nap.
(5)B D.
went there for breakfast twice. food is very good. busy place, so plan on waiting a bit. you can have a coffee outside while in line, so that'll warm u up a bit, which is great. as soon as you're done though, they'll pretty much kick you out lol.
(4)Chris S.
Ever since moving into the expanded space next-door, formerly occupied by El Guapo, owner Yassir has been a new man. Exceedingly friendly and warm with guests, allowing you time to finish and enjoy, the former "breakfast nazi" is able to abandon his former shtick of rushing folks along now that he's expanded beyond the 8-10 table space 'Bites formerly occupied. As for the menu, it remains unchanged and still features comfort-food inspired breakfast favorites like "Boston's Best Blue," a "simple cheese om" with a grilled bluberry muffin, diner style. There are also still the unusual surprises such as owner and staff-inspired Moroccan breakfast finds and the truly exceptional stuffed french toast, my favorite being done with apricot preserves. The hash browns, a griddled block of mashed potato with just the right amount of pepper are still amazing and, for my money, are best when ordered with the "Green Eggs, No Ham" a well-put-together eggs florentine. Do yourself a favor and get this dish with the (surprisingly) exquisite hollandaise on the side, it makes for an unbelievable hash brown dip. The new space also offers a full bar and now serves dinner as well but it's still most popular with the weekend breakfast crowd that can be seen queued up on any Saturday or Sunday on the sidewalk outside enjoying their self-serve coffee.
(4)Alyssa L.
I've been going to Sound Bites for years starting at the small space they used to be located. Even if there is a line you don't have to wait long. I've always been a huge fan--incredibly hard to beat the delicious food and wonderful variety for a great price as well! I've brought many friends here and they love it too. My all time favorites are: stuffed french toast with goat cheese & pear, challah french toast with fruit & cream, boston's best blue and the scone plate. And don't forget the home fries. Sound Bites is one of my favorite breakfast places and is always a treat!
(5)jim b.
Went once because of the hype. Wasn't impressed at all. Went a second time because I figured I just got unlucky the first time. Nope. When they changed storefronts, went a third time, I just couldn't believe all those people waiting in line were sooo wrong. It seems they were. I tried three different types of breakfast foods, none were over mediocre. I didn't have the bad service so many people complain about, but honestly, this is at best the third best breakfast place in Ball Square. Not good.
(2)Geoff T.
The eatery that torments me. I will not eat here. The three star rating is because I would give the service one star and the food four or five. When it is crowded in there I have seen the owner take people's plates before they were done eating, literally toss a sign in someone's face because they were finishing their coffee a little too slow and, my personal favorite, toss a woman's jacket out the door when he thought she was dawdling a little too long. The food is great. If you are a vegitarian you can get veggie links instead of sausage, a nice touch. If you happen to find the place when not crowded, go in and have a delicious breakfast. I for one will never patronize a place that treats their customers like complete trash the moment they have paid for their breakfast.
(3)Ryan P.
Finally decided to treat myself to breakfast in Somerville. After hearing the Phantom Gourmet talk about Somerville's Breakfast Wars, I knew I had to get to Ball Square. I decided to check out Sound Bites first and the experience was great. I agree with it being pricey but the food was excellent. Having a waffle with fresh fruit was really a treat and made for one of the top breakfast meals I've had in a long time. Not to busy during the week.
(4)Patrick D.
Best breakfast in town, food is great and service is quick. You may have to wait a bit for a table, but such is the reality of going to a place that is in high demand. The fact that you can get your own coffee (and refills) is a real plus. The hash browns rock and the muffins are s-weet. Check it out, you won't be let down. Also, they are very accomodating to children.
(5)Jeffrey L.
Unreasonable service. Adequate food. ... Sheep.
(1)Sally R.
I've been going here since I was taking dance lessons at a now-defunct school across the way and I still love it. Soundbites....it is not super-fancy, but it's tasty, affordable and a fun time. I love to get the brunch and I love the fresh pasteries.
(5)Lucy x.
Sound Bites has a huge fan club. It's thronged every weekend, and everybody suggests it when brunch comes up. But try as I may, I can't find anything great to say about it. Okay, one thing: The owner is nice. The food, however, is not. For example, their signature dish (Moroccan Eggs) is watery, bland, and nearly egg-free. I cannot fathom the appeal.
(2)Kelly A.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to write a review for Soundbites as it's been my favorite breakfast joint for years. At first the service was quite rushed and unfriendly, but that didn't last too long. After going for a while, they started remembering what I wanted to drink (unsweetened iced tea with lemon, please) and what my husband wanted to eat (always the same, green eggs no ham). They actually are quite nice and friendly folks, and they make some damn fine breakfast. Some of my favorite items include the french toast stuffed with goat cheese and fresh pear and the scone plate that features scrambled eggs with cheddar and dill. I also quite enjoy the Boston's Best Blue, which comes with a lovely grilled muffin. Obviously the homefries are the best ever and I could likely live on them alone for the rest of my life. And they finally have veggie sausage. Oh yes. Heart Soundbites.
(5)Josh F.
A cozy little place (I don't think it has more than 15 tables) on Broadway in Ball Square, it does have great food at reasonable prices. The breakfasts are locally famous, especially the home fries. Good variety and plenty of veggie options. Many items have a slight Middle Eastern flair but in no way is this a Middle Eastern restaurant; omelettes and french toast are the norm. It's also famous for the wait on weekends as it is popular with the late-rising college crowd. Take the advice of the other reviewers and don't screw around after you're done. The service can be Soup Nazi-esque, but it is very efficient. Order, eat and leave. Weekdays are much less crowded and, therefore, much more relaxed.
(4)bella c.
okay.... so the food is good, but who wants to be rushed for breakfast??? not me, we used to go there on occasion but now we just go to Kelly's Diner instead, at least your not rushed and the food is just as good and less expensive...
(3)Gregory M.
great food, especially at that price. perfect comfort food place, great to wake up to after a long sat night. ever since the move to the larger establishment, you get seated faster (no long line), but served a little slower. still, better to sit indoors than outside!
(5)Sean H.
That long line outside the breakfast/brunch place? Completely worth it. Go in and get some coffee to make the wait shorter, and when you finally get in, just blindly point at the menu, because it's all that damn good.
(5)L S.
Great place to have breakfast! The place is small and is always packed so I recommend either going on a weekday or going super early on the weekend. The food is really great. I especially like the grilled blueberry muffins.
(3)Jessica H.
There is always such a long line outside of this place that I thought it had to be good. So, I tried it and it was. The hash browns are absolutely incredible. They have pretty good prices too. I have never experienced the soup nazi myself. I guess if you go in and order right away and get out as soon as you're done, he leaves you alone. Try it guys! I mean it.
(4)Juliette V.
This is a great place breakfast in Ball Square near Tufts. It gets crowded on the weekends so get there early or bring the paper for entertainment while you wait in line. Omar, has been the chef here for years. You can taste his Algerian heriatge's influence in some of the menu items. My favorites are the Moroccan eggs and the garlic homefries (which are more like mashed potatos).
(4)Julie G.
Boston's Best Blue is my favorite breakfast. Ever. YUM!
(4)Ling W.
Omelettes were great, but so big! Chill but fun atmosphere, and bottomless serve-yourself coffee/tea/etc.
(4)Brittany L.
Sound bites had quickly become my favorite breakfast place within walking distance to my apartment. Three times now me and my boyfriend have tried to go to Ball Square cafe (around 8 am, by no means late in the morning) only to find a line out the door (possibly a testament to how delicious their food is but I have yet to find out). And three times now we decided to go back to Sound bites instead to be promptly sat. First, the service. The owner is very friendly as are all the staff. I don't love navigating the small aisles to get to the self-serve coffee station, but it is nice to not have to flag down a waiter when I want a refill. Food has consistently come out in less than 10 minutes and has always been piping hot. We were offered a complimentary fruit plate last time we went and the fruit was incredibly fresh and a good variety (melon, kiwi, strawberry, mango, blueberries). The food is excellent. Their scrambled eggs are fluffy and seasoned perfectly. The French toast is hands down the best I have had in the Boston area, perfectly fluffy on the inside with a buttery crisp exterior. They have a kind stuffed with ricotta cheese and honey which sounded heavenly. Their home fries are actually mashed potatoes that have been fried on a griddle and have a nice crispy coating. Omelette are wonderful, highly recommend trying the mushroom and Boursin. Long story short, everything we've had has been phenomenal and we will probably give up trying Ball Square cafe since Sound Bites is everything we could want out of a breakfast place.
(5)James V.
Food is always served promptly and hot and delicious they have a great menu with many options in each category but was disappointed to find out that for many years that I have been leaving tips that have not been going to the waist staff I was told by a past employee that the owner takes all tips and does not share them with staff.very disappointing to find this out.
(5)Aaron K.
Ball Square is head and shoulders above this place and it's right next door. We have always visited Ball Sq. in the past but on Saturday morning ball sq had a 20 person line compared to 2 people at soundbites. We were seated immediately and once we got inside we could see why as tables were crammed everywhere. This place is large and can probably hold twice as many people as ball square. Some food was good, some not so good. Fiance had good eggs bene with grilled mashed (grilled mashed portion was half the size of next door). This plate was good. However my french toast came with some of their grilled mashed under it. So imagine eating some sweet french toast with some heavy mashed potatoes. Not my favorite (and inexcusable). This leads me to believe they are running a chop shop in here where they are rushing out as much food to cover as many guests and checks as possible. I also had a piece of green spinach on my french toast. One highlight was the eggs and cheese crossaintwich our friend ordered which the crossaint came slightly grilled. He enjoyed this more than his pancakes. Service was average until the end. Servers are running around with a lot of checks at once and finding where to put them by table number. Someone took our credit card and check and 3 other people came over to ask us if we had paid yet, yes we gave our credit card to a server. While we were sitting finishing our drinks and conversation one server was taking away plates from the table next to us and stacked their dirty plates on our table before taking them to the kitchen. RUDE. This and other looks from servers led us to believe that we were being pushed out the door only seconds after paying the check. Food and service are better next door. Next time we will wait.
(2)Anton K.
Great brunch place. The lineup moves very quickly so don't be discouraged!
(4)Carla M.
I have been enjoying delicious breakfasts (or brunches) at Sound Bites for many, many years, and the quality of the food never wavers. The omelettes are terrific, and there is a wide variety to choose from. My favorite is the Tuscan - portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese and basil. (And, it's no problem getting it with egg whites only). The fruit is amazingly fresh. They really care about the quality of what they serve, and it shows!
(5)Laura F.
We've been coming here for 17 years for weekend breakfast/brunch, and it never disappoints. From the wonderful strong coffee at the self-serve to the great omelette plates with unique home fry patties, to the mouth-watering pancakes and waffles with fresh fruit, we are always happy to share sweet and savory foods at our table. Yesser always greets us with a smile and the service is prompt and gracious.
(5)Richard K.
Breakfast food at its best. Don't order more than one thing (the portions are enormous)
(5)Jeff M.
If Yelp existed when I moved to the area back in 2000, I'd likely be the Duke of this place. I have been here countless times, long before they moved into the defunct Mexican restaurant that was next door to them and when the lines were actually 20+ people long vs. only a handful at a time. The "new" location is easily 3x as much square footage as in the old joint which is now a rival breakfast place in its own right. Plus, they now serve booze. Even though I'm not a morning drinker, many people loves themselves a good bloody mary in the morning to help with the hangover from the night before and from what I've heard, they are pretty delish here as well. You'll be seated as quickly as a table is cleared which is often less than a minute. You'll have exactly 1 minute and 37 seconds to decide what to have....that's why if you are waiting in line, pick up a menu and study it! Your food will be out in 3 minutes and 42 seconds and you'll have 12 minutes and 16 seconds to finish your food before they begin removing your plates for the people still standing out in the cold. My three favorite dishes at SB are the mushroom & boursin omelette, the challah french toast and the unique to Soundbites, Golden Grill. I'd say out of all the times I've been to Soundbites, I have ordered the Golden Grill the most times. It comes with a grilled corn muffin which tastes nothing like D&D, a side of the now famous garlic hash browns (an absolute must for anyone who loves garlic and potatoes), two eggs and a piece of Canadian bacon. I believe the price is only about $7 which for food this good, is an absolute steal. There are countless other options here that are delicious, I don't believe I've ever taken an out of town here who had a bad experience, nor can I think of a time I was disappointed by my food, ever. You've heard scary stories about how you'll be rushed out by the breakfast Nazi. That lines will snake into Cambridge to get in. Soundbites CAN be somewhat intimidating. The ONLY thing that has ever irked me is finding out the price of the bottomless cup of coffee on the end of my bill coming to $2.75. My g/f rarely drinks more than a half cup of coffee but she loves the idea of choosing from 50 flavors of coffee and syrups to put in so this is the only thing that doesn't come to a deal here for us. If you think you can find a better place to have breakfast/brunch in the Boston area then you're nuts. Soundbites is an experience, albeit a quick one where you are in and out in less than 45 minutes each and every time and don't realize how amazing it was until the 3 hr nap takes over in the afternoon after stuffing your face full of Syrian goodness.
(5)Saige B.
This is the type of place that Boston (downtown) needs. I go to serious lengths to find a good breakfast spot in Boston and alas, I finally find one in Somerville! With a little Somerville flavor, this spot serves great grub at a great price. From the breakfast basics to scrumptious looking stuffed French Toast, this place will definitely keep me coming back. Also, there is a pretty cool beverage bar/spot where you can concoct your coffee/tea/juice beverage of your choice. I'll definitely be coming back to more.
(5)R L.
I've been a faithful customer since 2009. The owners are the friendliest and most hospitable in the Boston area. While living in Boston, whenever I had brunch plans with local friends or friends from out of town, we were going to Sound Bites. I moved to Portland, Maine a year ago and no matter what - when I'm visiting friends in Boston, we're going to Sound Bites for brunch. No questions asked. In short: Best brunch in the city. Period.
(5)Cara B.
One of the best brunches I have ever had. Hands down. The line out front can be off putting, but it moves very fast. The service is not amazing, but for how crowded the restaurant is, the staff does an awesome job. The food came out ridiculously fast even though the place was packed. The menu is incredible. There were so many things I wanted to try: pumpkin pancakes, nova omelette, and stuffed french toast, but I opted for the Boston's best blue (?) which consisted of a cheddar omelette, grilled blueberry muffin, bacon, and their amazing potatoes. The bacon was cooked perfectly. I am not even a big bacon person but this bacon was amazing. Not too crispy but not too undercooked. Their potatoes are what seemed like grilled mashed potatoes and they were ridiculously good. Also, fresh squeezed orange juice. Definitely a great addition to an awesome meal. And I think they even serve mimosas! Everyone else at my table ordered an omelette and everyone left very full and very happy. I can't wait to return next week because I know I will be coming back that soon.
(5)Rachel N.
I love brunch in theory, but I'm a tough cookie to please, in practice. Sound Bites is a 3.5 - and given that there are close to 500 reviews of this place, I can't really add anything to the conversation, but I figured I'd throw in my two cents anyway as I'm bored and waiting to pick up A from the airport. To show my devotion to the meal of breakie, I should mention that when I was a tubby kid, my pediatrician had to sit my parents down and explain that it was not normal for a 6 year old to eat 10-15 pancakes in one sitting...so needless to say, I could eat myself silly with these carbohydrate delights -- and every time I've been to Sound Bites, the pancakes are fairly tasty -- the berry ones and the banana walnut pancakes are quite solid, though every so often the center will be raw-ish still....a no go -- but they have a great selection of a variety of pancakes, waffles, and challah French toast, as well as a banging range of omelettes. Most recently I hit to jalapeno omelette (+ egg whites, - cheese), which was nice and has shockingly tasty avocado tucked inside of it (in med-Feb, to boot) -- no complaints here, but idk.... I do get fussed that the food comes out lukewarm most of the time. It gives the impression of being in a fancy college cafeteria rather than a resto. Don't go here if you're looking to linger -- they ask you to order abt 30sec after sitting and the waiters basically run away as soon as they scribble your demands -- it's not a service joint, but it is a place to get a lotttttt of fairly decent breakie food at reasonable prices (and you get to scope out all the Tufts undergrad walk of shames parading down Broadway). Overall, it's better than most places in terms of selection, but as usual, the menu sounds better than the foodstuffs IRL -- but obs I'll be back, as I cannot stay away from a place w/ serve yourself coffee. Ever.
(3)Martha L.
OK, I really like the atmosphere: it's bustling and pretty friendly, and I like the self service coffee. But, really, the food just isn't that great. I had the egg scramble and scone, and that blueberry scone was just baffling. Tasted super artificial and the consistency was warm and a bit gummily undercooked. The hash browns are mashed potatoes that they flatten and sautee: but there's no nice onion or garlic thing going on. The whole effect is just meh. I would not go back, and there's no way I'd wait in line for this food. My husband had a waffle with fruit and whipped cream and that was better. I don't want to slam the place but I think they could up their game a bit.
(2)Vanessa L.
Finally tried this place for the first time this past weekend. Despite being crazy busy and having a line down the block when I got there at 11am (my brother says it's not as busy earlier around 9), we didn't have to wait too long. For as busy as it was, the service was prompt, food was quick and delicious, and the place runs like a machine. All of the employees seemed very cheery and friendly which was the first thing I noticed. We were sat by the host, had our order taken by server, dishes cleared by busser, and check taken and cashed out by a sweet older woman. Talk about teamwork. They have bottomless coffee - hot or iced! Which was amazing. Iced coffee with breakfast and a refill to go! The coffee/tea bar was a huge highlight in my opinion. I got a breakfast sampler (forget the name) that came with eggs, meat, toast, and choice of French toast or pancakes. I went with the pancakes and was able to get pumpkin pancakes. They were awesome. No syrup necessary. They also have a bar here and I came so close to ordering a mimosa. They have several different flavors too. Trying one next time. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that it's a little pricey for a breakfast place. My breakfast and coffee came to $15 plus tip. It was delicious so it was probably worth it..
(4)Alexander N.
Incredible high-quality food, spectacular and occasionally exotic combinations incorporating such wonderful ingredients as poached pears, Boursin cheese, and Mascarpone. Never less than perfect.
(5)JD H.
This is a tough review to score so here's the break down: Pros: Best Fruit plate (including next door's) huge chunks of ripe mango and papaya all food is great! Cons: On several occasions we have been rudely rushed out the door (a few weekends ago my husband and I brought his parents here. We ordered a lot of food and as soon as they cleared our plates 3 DIFFERENT people came over to shoo us out within 5 minutes. One actually said, "there are tables waiting- please take your coffees to go." I get it. They do a killing on the weekends. I've worked brunch at other places and I get the turn and burn mentality. It's just that we were in there for maybe 30 minutes spent 60 bucks and were being ASKED to leave. If it wasn't for the service this place would be 5 stars.
(2)Robert O.
I like this place. Almost a lot. I come here once a month to once every other month. Its a place I remember to come to, and think of when I want to somewhat impress someone. Here's the upside. The food is pretty much good all the time. The menu is huge, it will take you at least 10 minutes just to decide. Doesn't matter what you order, or how many people in your group ordering, the food will be out in 3-5 minutes. Shocking speed. Also---all you can drink coffee. With a cute selection of coffee mugs. The downside---you will be RUSHED to sit down, order and eat and get out by the staff. Its a speed demon brunch spot---they want to hustle the hell out of you. They try to be smiling and friendly, but they can't help themselves----get in, sit down, order, eat, leave. Like cattle getting slaughtered. No masking it, they're just processing you. So that part is disenchanting.
(3)Pat D.
Best place to eat in somerville hands down. The owner is very generous and always treats us well. Id recommend anyone going there!
(5)Eric F.
I haven't had to tear apart a place in a while, but for all I've heard about this brunch joint...it was painfully underwhelming. I feel bad as my friend raved about Sound Bites and they'll at least have the benefit of the doubt that their Eggs Benedict was passable. I had the Stuffed French Toast with goat cheese and pears...and it was the worst execution I've had the misfortune of experiencing. The battered bread was lifeless and bland while the fruit lacked any hint of freshness. Being my favorite brunch dish, it says a lot when I considered leaving half of mine to be trashed. Oh and while this wasn't the first time I've seen an extra charge for real maple syrup, those restaurants at least serve very good brunch. As for beverages, the self-serve coffee was an interesting change of pace until I learned that it's charged by the cup. I can't think of a single place that pulls nonsense like that on average coffee brewed en masse, not even Denny's does it as far as I know. Lastly, the service is rushed. Very rushed. We had people come by at least 2-3 times asking prematurely if we were done with our plates. Sorry, but I'm not about to tolerate being hurried to finish crappy food.
(1)Kelly L.
While this place is great for brunch, I regularly come by on weekdays after work for a beer and some food. Both Chris and Greg are great bartenders/hosts, super nice and attentive even when it's wicked busy. The food is consistently good. They have an awesome trivia night on Thursdays (you should probably call ahead though!). The kitchen staff and bussers are also great and really nice. I've met the owner/manager a few times and he seems like a good guy. The food is an interesting and very wide mix: breakfast anytime, typical pub fair, surprisingly good pasta dishes and a number of signature middle eastern/Moroccan items that are great.
(5)N D.
OVER RATED! I went with friends a few days ago and was expecting great things. Things were less than impressive. Make no mistake, there is nothing wrong with the food, but there is also nothing great. There is usually a line up outside and I have no idea why.....
(2)Molly S.
I absolutely love this place! My friends/boyfriend and I go here a lot. The food is amazing; the prices are right; the atmosphere is laid back; and the staff is very friendly. Most importantly, you will never leave hungry and always find something to eat, whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or like me and you eat anything and everything. I highly recommend the broadway bowl. It's a huge amount of food to take on but it's amazing and such a smart dish -- layers of delicious breakfast food all in one bowl with the potatoes at the bottom, the veggies in the middle, the eggs at the top, and toast on the side. Don't miss their stuffed french toast, inventive pancakes, and even something as simple as their fruit plate is really large and includes every type of fruit imaginable. (It's so much more than just your average tiny side plate of melon.) Go there and enjoy! Plus, the drinks are self-serve which is fun so you don't have to wait for someone to bring them to you and you can keep getting up to get more coffee which offers many different flavors. Enjoy!
(4)Jennifer H.
I was really disappointed in Sound Bites when the man and I went in for breakfast. It was a Friday morning, not too busy. There was no wait. I don't mind the self service drink bar and the iced coffee was fine. No complaints there. I ordered the Crab Eggs Benedict. The eggs were poached well and the hollandaise was good but the crab was freezing cold and that really made for a weird contrast in the dish. I totally understand that they store the crab in the fridge but how hard is it to warm something up before adding to the dish? The man ordered a meat lovers omelet with pepper jack cheese and was a few bites in when he realized that there was no cheese in the omelet. He would have mentioned it to the server, but after dropping off our meals we never saw our server again until he walked by the table and dropped the check on it. Without a word to ask how the meal was. The service was just not great and if the food was spectacular it would be easier to overlook that, but the food was just mediocre. I doubt we will be back.
(2)Mike K.
Soundbites is by the best breakfast in the boston area! You cannot find as fresh fruit (mango is bomb), meats, and most delicious pancakes anywhere but here! Not to mention, every time I go to this restaurant, I'm treated like a king! They take care of my friends and family with welcoming smiles and the best customer service I've ever experienced :) mango / pineapple pancakes - delicious :)
(5)Brian N.
This place is amazing for breakfast, great service, great food....can't beat this place. Try the pomegranate mimosa! I had that and a bacon egg cheese with hollandaise....amazing. As a bonus, the owner is the man, he's the most down-to-earth owner I've met (and you'll likely meet him). Extremely quick service, nice people...exactly what you want out of a place. I also went here for dinner- their food is amazing, and it's not crowded (yet) since it's known as a breakfast spot...highly recommend for any meal.
(5)Zoya D.
This is my favorite place! Their food is absolutely delicious, and the cornbeef hash is to die for! Oh, and the Broadway Bowl too! oh, and the omelettes! I tried a little bit of everything, and I was happy with every dish I got. The line looks long on weekends, but it moves superfast, thanks to its employees keeping a constant eye on the tables and they rotate them immediately. The manager Yasser is a great guy, and really cares about his patrons, I always enjoy seeing him. The entire team at Sound Bites is a well-oiled machine and everything comes out fast and well prepared. Love this place :)
(5)Emily G.
Worth a try. Pros- well presented meals, good portions, best omelet in recent memory, vegetarian sausages available, coffee tasted way better than Starbucks, biggest breakfast menu I've ever seen. Cons- homefries??? Who are you kidding!? Looks like some fried mashed potato to me... And badly done at that. it took about 7 or 8 minutes for a waiter to ever approach our table- Not during a rush hour, self-service coffee (Which a lot of people have raved about, but I was not impressed with having to get up repeatedly to serve myself at a restaurant with wait staff expecting tips.) and its pricey. Granted, I'm not a local but $38 for breakfast for 3 adults seems steep to me... (Coffee is $3 each) Also I'm not sure if this is more common there or not but they add an 18% gratuity on to parties of FIVE. Which I have never seen anywhere before.
(3)Bea P.
It stinks that the food is really good here, because the guy managing the place was a complete jerk. Our breakfast was 80.00 bucks for four people?? we didn't order much food and didn't order any alcohol there were some items added to the bill that we didn't get and the jerk was so old school that he would ONLY talk to the men in our group and said your wife is crazy! WOW will never go here again!!
(1)Shawn M.
Welp... the reputation of this place precedes it. The owner is the coolest guy you'll ever meet. The food is exactly what you'd want after a night of drinking. And the prices are great for what you get. Some highly recommended items: their corned beef hash (some of the best I've had!), their freshly squeezed OJ (also the best I've had), and their fruit bowl is LEGIT! They got like 8 different types of fruit up in dat ish. Check this place out. You'll be glad you did.
(5)John S.
Some of the best breakfast around anywhere. This place caters to multiple types of people, and should have something for most friend groups (though a little bit of adventurousness and trust in the chefs really helps!). It has the HUGE items for the real eaters, some definite Mediterranean flavor for those looking, some health food for the concerned, and a full bar for those that live the party lifestyle. Tips on cost - this place is priced well, but they will nickle-and-dime you on the little things if you don't know what's up. Coffee usually runs $3, but the money will grant you exclusive access to a land of unlimited awesome coffees. If you feel that you can't drink $3 of coffee while you're there, fill up a take-out cup and live the bold life as you wander the streets of Somerville! Atmosphere is EPIC. I've never sat in a bad spot (maybe I was a little cold once, but I opted to sit outside). It has the cozy nooks, the bar, the outdoor tables, etc. The food here combines the best of fresh vegetables, fruits, and spices with hearty egg-n-cheese breakfast dishes and grilled baked goods. Place a little trust in something that sounds more out-there and you might be rewarded handsomely with great combinations of delicious edibles. The homefries are mashed potatoes - and it's awesome. If you don't want to stare longingly at your tablemates' plates, avoid basic stuff like 2-eggs-n-toast. You didn't come here for that! The lines might get you down a bit (especially if you live the aforementioned party lifestyle), but you can rest assured that the owners are doing their best to push people out in order to get you in. Yeah, it does suck a little bit to be on the other end of that equation - but that is a small price for glory!
(5)Zoe P.
How do I put this? The best part of my breakfast was the coffee. I had the Moroccan eggs and a side of blueberry pancakes. I must have done something horribly wrong because the food was pretty bad. The veggies in these Moroccan eggs - a house special, the menu says - were undercooked, so I had a huge pile of watery, unpleasantly firm, peppers and onions on top of 3 poached eggs. With a dash of raw cumin. I adore poached eggs, and the eggs here were nicely cooked, but the dish was a lukewarm mess. Salt and hot sauce didn't help. I buttered my rye toast heavily, dunked it in the lovely yolks of those poached eggs and tried to make the best of things. And then the pancakes were made with frozen, wild blueberries. No real crime there: if and when I make pancakes I use frozen fruit too! But not flavorless, tough frozen fruit. The pancakes themselves had a char on them that gave them the flavor of a New Haven apizza. I almost cried. I was actively unhappy while eating pancakes so I stopped. Unheard of. They also brought me a plate of fruit. I have no idea if I paid for it, or it came with my eggs, or what, but it came in second to the coffee in edibility. Yelp reviews, actual people I know, everyone seems to love this place. But I've got better diner food closer to home and I owe the Broadway Diner a huge apology for the doubts I harbored while writing their review. I came on a weekday (was that the problem?), I didn't wait and the staff was so nice that I feel bad about this review. A little.
(1)Paul G.
Good atmosphere. Avocado & Tomato Eggs Benedict were amazeballs. The hash browns were not to be missed. Dipping them into the runny egg and benedict saucy mess was just what this early riser needed to get him going. Not too impressed with Cafe Latte, but I will try another coffee drink next time. Street parking -- free on Sundays. Otherwise 2hr metered.
(4)Gail M.
I love Sound Bites. My husband and I (and now our newborn son) frequent Sound Bites on Saturday Mornings and have never had a bad experience. The service is fast, the food is delicious and the coffee bar is great!
(5)Robert D.
Came here again , and what can I say amazing all the time. I met with the owner I believe and he was such a gentleman We had our baby with us and he brought out fruit and a pancake for her right from the start . Besides great service the place has beyond amazing fruit bowl , B.burritos and French toast waffles etc list goes on and u must go here to Eat!!
(5)Kim W.
THAT EGGS BENNY THO seriously, if you haven't been to brunch here yet, go. right now. unless you're reading this at night, i mean. the *perfect* spot for a lazy weekend brunch, with a super friendly staff, lots of delicious menu options, and a serve yo'self bottomless coffee bar! this morning, my friend & i sat at one of the few tables that they have outside. though, i think they've expanded their inside dining room since the last time i was here because there was absolutely no line (at 10AM on a sunday. um, what?!). anyways, i ordered the eggs benedict with artichoke hearts & tomatoes, and hiiiii amazing. the eggs were perfectly poached, the home fries were bangin', and the artichoke and tomato added great flavors. an awesome, awesome local joint.
(5)Benjamin S.
Self serve coffee, brilliant. Every plate that came to our table, brilliant. Price, brilliant.
(5)Sabrina M.
I am updating my review just to say that I have been contacted by the establishment saying that they have made efforts to get rid of the mice so I am increasing a star however I will never be back at that restaurant since I was a tourist and came for a visit so telling me that the mice are gone is not going to do any good since I cannot be there to enjoy the cleanliness or what have you. This is not coming from a malicious place but I was contacted relentlessly to take my review down and that they have called the "pets company". Where I live, we call it pest control or exterminator or something of that nature. I don't know if "pets company" is Boston lingo. Maybe it was a typo but he did send me about 7 messages including "pets company" in there various times. Since I am not quite sure if the necessary measures have been taken, I will leave it up to future reviewers to tell everyone else about the current situation after the "pets company' has come. I also encourage EVERYONE to write a positive review if they had a positive experience and have seen no mice. I wouldn't want to hurt a business with my review and would definitely want them to thrive if they are doing everything they need to do!
(2)Fred H.
I always leave this place full and not wanting for more. The issue is trying to get a seat without starving in line. If you come during peak breakfast hours then expect to wait awhile. Peak hours are typically Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you find yourself staring at an impossibly long line then stave off starvation with a cup of coffee or something from Lyndell's bakery just a block or two away. You'll be much less grumpy, trust me. The menu is extensive and has just about anything for anyone. I'm a meat and potatoes guy and I've never been disappointed here. Note, the home fries are of the mashed variety and are good enough to keep me coming back for more. Service is fast once they finally get your order. Sometimes it takes them awhile. Probably because most people are typically rendered indecisive by all of the possible choices. TL;DR - Always busy during peak hours, must try home fries, big menu.
(4)Terese G.
We stumbled on this cozy spot after attempting to get into all of the top rated breakfast spots listed in Medford, and failing at one after the other (lines and crowds abound!) But this was true serendipity, as we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and time at Sound Bites! You really can't beat a little neighborhood joint with fabulous food on a just-inventive-enough-not-to-be-pretentious menu. Coffee was self-serve, but that didn't take away from the five stars we'd give our waitress. Wish we'd gotten our name - all we can tell you is she's from Long Island, and she was the friendliest person we'd met all weekend as we ate three meals a day out and about in Boston. I had the Irish Eggs Benedict, and would have a hard time choosing something different from the menu. Everything looked so good, but my corned beef hash, poached eggs and hollandaise on English muffins was just too perfect! It's not likely we'll ever have a reason to return to Medford, but Sound Bites might lure us back nonetheless!
(5)Karen C.
Only reason I can't give this a 5 star is because the wait to get in is awful! If you time it just right, you can walk right in but usually have to wait over 30 min for seating on weekends. The service is super fast which makes up for the long wait. It is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Somerville so far!
(4)Rich S.
Solid breakfast! Arrived by 8 am and got a table w/ no hassle. Was fighting a bit of a headache and queasy feeling, and the bfast cured it--amazing how that works! PROS: food was very good. I had the Hollywood Bowl, layered with potatoes, peppers and onions, and topped w/ eggs and cheese. Tasty! Clean place; service friendly and prompt; varied menu made it tough to choose from; excellent iced tea CONS: I'm a fan of hash browns, and Sound Bites does a potato cake-thing from mashed potatoes. Mehhh. Cheese on my dish was not melted; lastly, we got the booth next to their bathrooms and cleaning closet--noisy banging throughout bfast Sound bites presents a very good bfast. We'd go again, as there are other menu items that look yummy. However, avoid the booth near the bathrooms!! Cheers! RS
(3)Allison D.
Not so sure why everyone I know raves about this place. The waiter rushed us to order, then tried to clear our plates while I was still eating. The food is just ok. The coffee is self-serve, as is the juice which you get out of the fridge. Wouldn't go again.
(2)Brittany M.
Good brunch if you're in a hurry Food is good, service is just ok... I don't mind serving myself a coffee but I've never been to another restaurant where they actually ignore you if you ask for a drink and make you go get your own drink.
(4)Erin B.
Food is ok. Terrible service. Long wait, crowded dining area. I never understood what all the hype was about. Go next door to Ball Square Cafe for great food, friendly and speedy service and great value.
(2)Kaylee D.
First off I'd like to say that I generally don't write reviews but what happened today was so outrageous I had to do this. My friends and I, totaling a party of 6, went for breakfast Sunday am. We knew we'd have a wait and were perfectly fine with that. Once we were seated our drink and food orders were taken. The waitress we had was very pleasant and the food arrived quickly. So everything up to this point was great and then the good time we'd all expected was OVER. About 10 minutes into our meal the bus staff began their assault. Their constant intrusion made it impossible to enjoy anything. The assembly line of "bussers" was beyond anything I'd experienced in my entire dining history. I mean we're talking they were rotating every 15 seconds to desperately clear ANYTHING they could get their hands on. Example, my half full glass of mimosa was pawed at by the staff who didn't even ask if I was done with my beverage which I wasn't but since she'd left her fingerprints on my drink I felt it was time to let it go. If given the opportunity I'd have finished my drink. I understand the importance of "getting them in and getting them out" on a busy Sunday am but this was truly unacceptable. We all ordered a morning "cocktail" so right off the bat they know that we're spending money more than the average breakfast goer and right from the get go our beverage bill was equal if not more than our food order. People were still cutting and eating at our table and we completely felt harassed and that we had already overstayed our welcome. Within the last 5 minutes of our meal we were asked 3 times if we needed change, twice if we enjoyed everything, and a last time by the host ?manager if we received our bill to which I replied, having been thoroughly annoyed at the hovering and helicoptering that we just endured, "Don't worry, we're leaving." This dining experience took all of 40 minutes. More than three quarters was sucked up by the complete distraction provided by the staff. One of our party was complaining of indigestion from having had to eat so quickly. Our "girls Sunday brunch" was a sad occasion to say the least. Love to comment on the quality of the food but nobody can remember since it was all so quick. We all feel fairly confident in saying we shan't be returning to this establishment eva again.
(1)Robyn G.
Open on the fourth of July! Awesome. The host not allowing me to sit until my friend got there not so cool. The lady continually hovering and bumping into me, annoying. The noise level, which included the screaming 3 year old beside our table, awful. But as always, the coffee was great (free refills too), the fruits and vegetables are fresher than most breakfast places and they offer veggie sausage. The service was slow, but hey, it's a holiday. Also, their home fries aren't really fries, they're mashed potatoes with just a little bit of crust. I like sound bites, but won't go on a holiday again.
(3)Christopher S.
Unbelievably overrated. Unremarkable food, rushed waitstaff, terrible coffee. Really, people - stop trying to convince yourselves that this place is actually special. Do yourself a favor and instead go to Rosebuds in Davis Sq - the food's better and the experience is LIGHT YEARS ahead of this place.
(2)Kathleen F.
I hadn't been here in a while, but since the line was pretty lengthy at my old faithful breakfast joint, Ball Square, we decided to hit up it's next door neighbor to change things up a bit. The line may have moved quickly, but the experience was the worst that I've had yet. Maybe it's all this new publicity that they are bragging about, but they seem to not be able to keep up w' the volume. I ordered a cafe mocha with soy milk and since our waitress was switched up I did not get what I ordered. Then I decided to switch it up and try something new so I ordered the avocado and egg bene. My boyfriend ordered the stuffed french toast w' pear and goat cheese. After waiting a bit, his order came out....then...10 minutes passed...finally my order came out (with no apology for the wait). I would like to describe it as poached eggs, un-ripe avocado and tomato floating in a moat of too greasy hollandaise sauce. I mean hollandaise is great, but not when your dish is soaking in so much that you can't taste anything else. Not to mention the fact that the sauce was luke-warm, the egg was hot, avocado was cold, I don't even know what the tomato was but it made for a weird gross consistency, definitely one of the worst breakfast dishes i've ever had. Since my was basically in-edible I tried out my boyfriend's french toast. I liked it a lot more, probably since I don't usually order pancakes or french toast since I always consider it to be such a treat. He usually orders dishes like that and said it was so so but not the best he's had. Overall, I came out thoroughly un-impressed--I think I'll stick w' Ball Square, even if the line is longer, it is by far a much better more friendly, attentive and consistent experience!
(3)Mark S.
I agree w/ others: Overrated, Very rude staff. RIDONCULOUS LINES AND WAIT TIMES!
(1)Shani C.
I pretty much get the responses that say "We went here for brunch and had a bad experience." Because I do not consider this to be brunch. Brunch indicates that you go, want to socialize, sit over your coffee, stay for a while. Soundbites doesn't want you to stay for a while, socialize, or linger over your breakfast. The key word here is BREAKFAST. You know it's a breakfast because they are serving it every morning, not just one or two days a weekend. Yah, you're going to have to get your own coffee. So what, you can make it the way you want. You might have to wait in a line, so did everyone else. Come here with one or two people, max of four, come before 9 am, and be short and sweet when you order, and you will figure it out. Do it a few weeks in a row and suddenly you're a regular, and Yassir treats regulars like gold. I love eating at this place, and it almost never takes me more than 40 minutes to do so. My Sunday mornings are jigsaw puzzles of activity, I don't need to sit there for 2 hours letting my eggs get cold. If you want a brunch, you really should go somewhere else, and other wonderful options do include Gargoyles, Johnny D's, Highland Kitchen, and probably others I'm forgetting. If you want a BREAKFAST, and you know the difference, come to Sound Bites, and come back forever.
(5)Erick H.
I've been here once for dinner and three times for breakfast and of the two meals, I've much preferred breakfast. While their dinner menu isn't objectionable, it is a strange mix of Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Italian dishes. Certainly, if you were looking for a place for a group with disparate tastes, Sound Bites would suffice. As for breakfast, the menu is a diverse collection of traditional breakfast options, from Eggs Benedict to pancakes to omelets, and so on. I've yet to have a disappointing meal and I've never ordered the same thing. One of the stranger aspects of Sound Bites is its self-service beverage arrangement. At first, this struck me as both bizarre and annoying, but in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. The restaurant is always busy during breakfast and brunch, and rather than waiting for your server to return, you can simply retrieve your own refreshment. As for ambiance, there's not much to report. The dining room is well lit, and no louder than I'd expect from such a popular place. On the upside, if you visit during warmer months, there are four tables available on the sidewalk. My only complaint is more of an endorsement than anything else: the place is always busy for breakfast and brunch, so be prepared to wait to be seated. That said, it's definitely worth the wait, which is obvious from the omnipresent line.
(4)Larissa C.
Fast service. Solid dinning. Reasonable prices. Spicy bloody mary's. Serve your own coffee? Not the best brunch I've ever had, but definitely not the worst.
(3)Bill H.
I have been eating at Sound Bites since at least 1996, when I lived around the corner on Highland. In all that time, while the quality of the food has never diminished, the number of delicious offerings has increased. I've lost track of the number of delicious meals I have had at Sound Bites, and I highly recommend it for breakfast all day.
(5)Christine Y.
Breakfast all day long, Soundbites offers a great breakfast. Try the wholewheat pancakes. They often have long lines on the weekend so beware. But it's worth dropping by because they have great consistent food.
(4)Raymond W.
I liked came here with some out of town friends and got some pancakes, which were delicious, fluffy and generous with the toppings/fillings. The wait was roughly 15-20 minutes, but since it was nice out, it wasn't a concern. I wouldn't bother when it's cold though since there aren't any heating source for peopel waiting outside unlike ball square cafe. The space is larger and more unique so you'll likely be seated faster. After reading about the history between ball square cafe and sound bites, I sympathize with Sound Bites, after visiting each one, the food is just too similar to make a call.
(4)Jamie S.
The food is pretty close to 5 stars-worthy, but the service this past Saturday night was piss poor. We walked in after an exhausting indecisive drive trying to figure out where to go. Northern Iowa was only a few minutes from upsetting Kansas in the NCAA hoops tourney and they served beer and had plenty of room at the bar. Our prospects were looking up. We sit down, get a coupla pints poured for us, and put in our order a few minutes later. Keep in mind we are one of 4 parties dining at this point. Falafel as an app, chili burrito for me, burger for the better half. Nice. At this point, the frustration of finding no parking at other restaurants in Boston, was f-f-f-f-f-faaading away. Well about 15 minutes elapse. 2 ladies have just sidled up to the bar across from us and are promptly served their buffalo finger app within a few minutes. Still no falafel. "hey Gargamel, how's that falafel comin along?" "oh yeah that'll be right out." "will it now....hmm..." Finally the falafel is out. We devour, as we're kinda hungry by this time. 10 minutes later my omelette in all its glory arrives. The homefries are like a brick of potato with fulffiness inside and a great crust on the outside. Believe the hype. Unique take on homefries. Get some hot sauce and sour cream to throw on that shit. Now, eggs are probably one of the worst things to eat cold, so I start in. My burger-expecting fiancee is hungry, so she snags a few bites of mine. "hey porcupine, how's the burger comin along?" "oh yeah that'll be out any minute." "oh rearry. je ne believe you pas." another 10 or 15 minutes elapse. "you still slaughtering the cow or what?" "yeah sorry about that guys, drinks are on me for the trouble." SO FINALLY THE GODDAMN BURGER COMES OUT. and it's delicious. and huge. but cripes, what the hell happened back there? Laverne and Shirley at the bar were 3 post-dinner drinks deep by the time the damn burger came out, and they got there a half hour after us. So that's about it. He comp'd our 3 beers and appetizer without being asked, which saves this from being a 2 star review. If you feel like breakfast at night, give this a try, especially since it's so crowded in the morning, but if you want to be served before your social security benefits kick in, come in the morning when the morning crew who know what they're doing is on the clock.
(3)Michelle K.
So, Yasser (Sound Bites's owner) sent me a Yelp "compliment" in response to a review I wrote about Ball Square Cafe in which I called the owner "friendly." His message: "The owner,,,got 2 faces, looooosser" Not sure if he was calling ME a loser or the owner of BSC. Ya know what? I think it's a little immature either way. Sound Bites just got downgraded a star. WHO'S THE LOOOOOSSER NOW, BEEEEEEOTCH?!?!11111
(3)Tara B.
Maybe I'm still bitter that this now occupies my former beloved El Guapo, home of my favorite karaoke nights in greater Boston. But.. I'd rather go to Kelly's or Ball Square Cafe. The food is solid, no doubt. Though I've had the Boston's Best Blue (cheese omelet, griddled blueberry muffin, griddled mashed taters, bacon) at both Sound Bites and Ball Square, and I'm positive it's better at Ball Square. You won't find me turn down a griddled blueberry muffin, but it's just tastier, fresher, butterier at B.Sq. I really am bummed about El Guapo. Also, I'm down with the self-serve coffee concept; not down with self-serve every.single.beverage racket they run here. El Guaaaaapooooooooooo!
(3)Maria D.
I love soundbites just as much as I love ball square cafe. (although I usually tend to head next door instead). Soundbites differentiates from Ball sq in that it has a greater selection of menu options, as well as coffee flavors. Also, soundbites has an outdoor seating area, ball sq cafe does not. I've taken many out of town friends here and they can't seem to get enough. I've had many weekends chauffeuring friends at Northeastern to grab some breakfast at Sound Bites. Come here if you're looking for some good breakfast eats for sure.. in terms of my personal tastes... I just can't stop myself from heading to ball sq cafe for their strawberry shortcake waffle.. nom nom nom
(4)Rachel S.
I was in Boston for my Bachelorette party, and had to make sure we went to Sound Bites to kick things off. Everyone there was wonderful to our large party, and the food, of course, was incredible! Thank you, Yasser - for another spectacular meal. There really is no place like homefries! Since moving away from Boston 2 years ago, this is by far the place I miss eating at the most. The creative omelets are always filled with fresh ingredients, the corn muffin is thrown on the griddle with some butter, and the fresh fruit salad includes mango and papaya. Maybe for my wedding Yasser will give me the secret to those amazing potatoes?
(5)Tim K.
Food=Great.... No, it's FANTASTIC! The toughest part is the wait for a table because it is such a popular place.
(4)Adrienne T.
Sound Bites service "bites". This servers and management here take rude to another level. There are no smiles, you are RUSHED (if you linger after your last bite, they WILL come over to you and let you know that there is a line outside), and I'm thinking they value their reputation for rudeness. The food is NOT all that, just very, very basic. If you don't mind a wait, go to the Neighborhood in Union Square, Renee's in Somerville, or Centre Street Cafe in JP for some really GOOD breakfast and pleasant service.
(1)Ryan R.
Soggy eggs (Undercooked?), salty, expensive drinks, crowded and rushed staff. Why not go next-door to Ball Square Cafe? Less space there, but all you can drink coffee and way better food.
(1)Mike S.
Sound Bites is the place to go for excellent breakfast and brunch in Somerville. This place is always packed and there is a wait usually on Sunday mornings. It says a lot for the food. Service is busy and running around so not the best. But they make up for it with delicious stuffed french toast, omlets cooked to perfection, and crispy bacon or delicious sausages. Oh and don't forget the hash browns! mmmmm Check it out this weekend!
(4)Yoonie C.
Ugh. This place is so overrated! The water for poaching eggs is dirty. Service is crappy, it's always crowded, and everything just feels dirty - in a very bad, bad way.
(1)Elizabeth G.
Went on a Saturday morning with a friend. We were seated immediately, grabbed our own coffee etc bc it's serve yourself drink bar (which I liked- free refills and so many flavors to chose from!) Our waiter was awesome- so friendly and efficient. I ordered the sweet pepper corned beef hash, he got the swine & Swiss and we split a half order of the stuffed fresh toast bc we couldn't resist. We both loved everything, just the right amount of grease, gourmet and deliciousness. Reasonably priced and a fun atmosphere. Just what I'm looking for on a Saturday morning! Definitely going to try their lunch or dinner bc I love mediterranean.
(4)Kelly N Z R.
Great brunch option for vegetarians. Almost too many choices! Was totally worth the wait outside. Make sure you grab a mug from the generous coffee/tea stand inside to keep you warm/caffeinated. I loved the 2-cubed Royale (2 eggs, pancakes or french toast, meat or 'meat', toast or bagel). I always like both savory and sweet for brunch, and it was just enough food to leave me feeling sated for the day without leaving too much behind on the plate. I hate wasting food.
(4)Ben A.
I've been back here several times since my first review and every time I go back I find myself more disappointed than the last. The sad part is I really want to like this place but I keep finding reasons not to. The guy who runs the place (i think he does anyways) who is always seating people on the weekends was quite rude to my friends and I on my last visit. He noticed that I had gone next door to look at the menu of the Balltown cafe (I have a friend that works there who's told me good things) and told my other friend that I was insulting him by checking to see if there was a shorter line. My other friends went to get coffee across the street thinking we would have a long wait. I understand that it's frowned upon to bring your own coffee to a restaurant that serves it but there's no need to give them a dirty look! Lastly, the food is just not that great. One of my favorite things to do is go out for pancakes in the morning. Unfortunately the pancakes they serve here aren't that great! The combination all sound great (bannana-berry, banana-mozzarella, blueberry-chocolate, etc.) but instead of actually cooking it into the pancakes, they essentially make a hole in the middle of the pancakes and shove the toppings in. The pancakes themselves are unflavorful and bland, and the syrup is tasteless! Perhaps the trick to enjoying the pancakes here is to order the side of maple syrup (an extra $2.00!), but it shouldn't be that hard to get decent syrup for your customers, just ask Aunt Jemima! Lastly the home fries are not home fries! If I see home fries on the menu then I expect multiple fried potato objects, as the word fries is plural, it would imply that the home fries will be multiple different fries... Nope, you get a large lump of something resembling a half-cooked hash brown. Essentially mashed potatoes cooked briefly in a frying pan. I'm pretty sure it wasn't even real potatoes! YUCK!
(2)Barney S.
The food is awesome!! Service is fast and it's a pleasant place.Breakfast all day from 630 am to 930 pm. Also serve dinner. Love jimmys Moroccan eggs..to die for..also broadway bowl..owner is friendly and attentive always..try it! You'll love it. Five stars..no hesitation.
(5)Adam E.
First and foremost, I love the owner here. He's right. You shouldn't talk on your cell phone at the breakfast table and you shouldn't take a million years to eat when there's a line. It's common courtesy! If you're a douche, the owner will call you on it. If you have a modicum of manners and common sense, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast and maybe even make a new friend while you drink your coffee in line. The coffee is good, the homefries are absolutely to die for. The portions are large and prices are reasonable. Try the cherry muffin, it's awesome. I don't leave JP much, but Soundbites lures me all the way across the river both due to its food and for the delight of seeing Yassir (the owner), who gives me a kiss on the cheek every time I go in because he really does value his loyal customers. And it's not like a creepy kiss on the cheek either, I'm all butch and stuff.
(5)Scott H.
I just finished my final experience at Sound Bites. The food is delicious, however the customer service leaves something to be desired. When our check came, we began adding up our individual meals, drinks, and sides in order to split the check. We discovered that we had been charged for 3 extra drinks and they had decided to tip themselves a whopping 40%. When we disputed it, we were told we wrong. As the cherry on top, when we went to pay, ridiculous gratuity and all, we were told that we had to pay on one card only because it was "only fair." From now on I will be going next door to Ball Square Cafe.
(2)John B.
Short and simple this place is breakfast heaven. Well worth driving in horrible conditions from Brighton. I can't wait to go here again, and again, and again. Suggestions: - Year round pumpkin spice coffee - Peanut butter and banana stuffed French Toast - Corn beef hash - Home fries
(5)Traci K.
Sound Bites only real downfall is the wait on the weekends - but even that is not so bad. While the line seems daunting on Saturday morning at 10, keep your head down and power through and you'll be greatly rewarded. I definitely tend toward the savory breakfast items - mostly because of my soft spot for hash browns. The hash browns at Sound Bites are supremely tasty. While not your run-of-the-mill potato cubes or shredded and crispy taters, the pan-fried brick of mashed potato is always worth it. Omlettes. Let's talk about it. Whoever at Sound Bites decided that it was a good idea to wrap goat cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes in fluffy and delicious eggs needs a hug and a high five (dare I say, chest bump?). All of the omlettes are amazing. I believe there is also one filled with avocado and tomato -- genius. Sound Bites embraces the avocado as a breakfast item and I have to say: I couldn't agree more. If you can make it on a week day get the breakfast burrito. Egg, cheese, salsa, avocado, potatoes, rainbows, magic. Delicious. The eggs bene with avocado and tomato is painfully good. Magic. Pure magic.
(4)Dennis W.
Have to say that I enjoyed Sound Bites. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my food both on Sunday (8/14) and later in the week when I had family in town. Their service is prompt, hash browns are delicious and the coffee station is a great concept. Everything was fresh and the door/vibe is energetic. It's a great find in Somerville, MA. I love good food and a bit of atmosphere goes a long way to making it an enjoyable experience.
(4)Rachael W.
I've been to Sound Bites a total of two times. The first time I was amazed (seriously, the fresh fruit you can opt to have piled on your pancakes/waffles/french toast is AWESOME). After going back for the second time just this morning, I'm over it. I suppose if I lived nearby I'd continue to frequent this place, but since I live in Back Bay there are lots of other great breakfast options that don't require a long trek--or standing in line to be seated. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but other than the yummy fruit, it's really nothing to write home about. My waffle today was a bit hard and chewy. Again, the fresh fruit piled on top was the highlight. Service is friendly, but it's evident that they're trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. Brunch is a bit of an occasion for me, and feeling like I'm being rushed out the door isn't conducive to the optimum breakfast experience. Just let me sip my coffee, okay? I think Sound Bites is a place you should at least try once, for the expansive menu and fruit toppings (yes, I'm bringing it up again) if nothing else. Whether or not you continue to frequent the place, in my opinion, should be decided by whether or not you have other breakfast/brunch restaurants near your residence.
(3)Ash T.
Pros: the stuffed french toast filed with cream cheese and figs is probably the best item Cons: the coffee is self serve and with free refills, however the quality is average. We went to a place across the street for better coffee. The moroccan eggs flavor was decent but they overloaded the plate with tomatoes and red onions as if there's an oversupply from farms in Kansas.
(4)Jessie L.
Consistently disappointed. I'm sorry, I really tried to like it, considering there are lines down the street every weekend.... but I just don't get it. Best pancakes in Boston? Are you freaking kidding me? Their "pumpkin pancakes" are dry, flavorless excuses for pancakes with pumpkin pie filling added. I could make better homemade pancakes without even following a recipe. On the trip I got the pancakes, I was looking forward to how they had other options for meat. I think I got turkey sausage - and like everything else, it was dry and pretty much useless. My date's potatos sucked, and his eggs were, meh. Then I went yesterday and just had a side of challah french toast. I'm sorry, but don't people order challah because it's nice and soft and smushy and wonderful? I was hoping for that, but somehow, they again managed to serve either dry or stale french toast that actually took me some wrist work to cut with a fork. $3 for that garbage. I'm sure a lot of the meals are good - but honestly, I don't care. I can't eat eggs, and I have no desire to give them any more of my money. I also agree with other reviewers that they're constantly all over your table and you sometimes feel rushed. I'm kinda also not a fan of the coffee bar..... you're trying to meander around a busy restaurant with drinks, and for a cup of lousy $2.25 coffee and overpriced crappy food, bring me my damn coffee. I will say one thing: The fruit bowls are fantastic. Considering fruit is expensive and that you get a huge variety, $6 isn't completely horrible for it. I was okay with going to this place as a default since it's right up the street from me, but I'm never going again. Bye bye, Sound Bites.
(2)Martha S.
I've been looking for great breakfast place near my apartment. Hubby and I drove by this place one morning on our way out of town and saw they had a line out the door to get in!!! After bookmarking and reading the reviews it seemed like a sure bet that I was going to get some amazing breakfast here. Ill come out and admit that I have only been here once. So when reading the review, just keep in mind that I am not opposed to giving it a second shot. I like that the beverages are self service. You can switch back and forth between coffee flavors and syrups and stuff, which is a novel concept and keeps you busy while you wait for your food. I had their daily special of "stuffed french toast with banana walnut sauce" or something like that. Husband got some sort of veggie omelet with avocado. The french tots would have been delicious, except the "stuffed" part was a thick layer of cream cheese!!!!! YUCK! I mean, it didn't have like a sweet flavor or anything, and it was actually not an appealing texture in the mix! The french toast would have been AWESOME without the "stuffed" part, but, it just sounded so good that I had to try it. The omelet was good, but not special compared to home made. Ill come back, and Ill update my review after a second try.
(3)Divya B.
Many of my friends have always had good things to say about Sound Bites. But my visit to Sound Bites was easily a forgettable one. I don't know if it was because my friend and I went a little after the usual brunch hours. If anything, I was glad that I did not have to wait in the long line outside. I ordered a Banana\Mango Pancake. The pancake was very dry, and did not taste really fresh. If not for the chunks of fruits in it, I had no special liking for the pancake. The service wasn't great either. The food came quickly, but was served as though we were being done a big favor.
(2)Sara S.
I've been here twice, and both times I've had the large fruit bowl--a MASSIVE bowl of fresh grapes, pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, apple and berries that is, surprisingly, just as good in February as it is in June. The first time I came, I had the avocado eggs benedict, which was delicious and way too big. Seriously, the portion sizes at this place are unreal. The hash browns were good but a little weird--basically, a pile of fried mashed potatoes. The second time, I ordered the multigrain waffle, again with a fruit bowl that I shared with my friend. It was the perfect combination of crispy outside, soft and warm inside, and paired with the fruit it was really outstanding. I ended up eating the whole thing, which I had not planned to do. Also, I like that they have a bunch of coffee servers out, and you pick out and mix your own coffee, and when you want a refill you just get up and get it. All in all, this is one of my favorite breakfast places--worth the wait, especially if the weather is nice.
(5)Bridget B.
I'd give them 5 stars, however if I wanted to pay to be yelled at I'd go see a dominatrix or something. I really don't get the whole concept of enjoying breakfast while practically being berated by the staff for not eating fast enough. I mean, as mentioned above, the first thing that came to mind the first time I went there was the whole Soup Nazi thing as I saw a waitress snap at a man reading a newspaper that, "This is a restaurant, not a library!"; meanwhile it was mid-week and the place was nowhere near as crowded as it is on weekends. Another time I was yelled at for not finishing my breakfast (some good but uninspired coconut-chocolate chip pancakes) The food is great, though there are breakfast places that I enjoy a whole lot more without having to put up with the emotional abuse.
(3)Tamar A.
Sigh. Amendments make my toes curl. But yes, it's true. Go on a weekday and have one of the most varied and yummy and dirt-cheap and quickly-sat-and-served breakfasts in Boston. And listen to the bland banter of the housewives at the next table. Or, you could get a job, you stinkin' hippie.
(4)Chris W.
I HOPE THE OWNER SEES THIS AND ANYONE WHO READS THIS UNDERSTANDS THIS PLACE IS OWNED BY A THIEF!!! I have been a loyal customer to Sound Bites for 2 years and come a few times a month. The last time I was at Sound Bites we had an issue with the bill. It was miscalculated by about $4, no big deal things happen.But they also made a mistake on our friends bill and mentioned something to the owner about it and he got very defensive. The owner even had the guts to say to me "What is wrong with your friend? Why he give me attitude?? I am very nice to him" Well their bill was off $7. They fixed it and I payed and went on our way. Today I went with a group of friends and it was a big mistake. We got seated and then went up to get drinks. Every time I go there I get a plastic cup of water with a top. Never has it been an issue. Today was a different story. The middle eastern man who is always there, who I think is the owner confronted one of my friends and told her they charge 30 cents for a cup. 30 cents for a freaking plastic cup!! Are you kidding me? When I am paying $10 for a meal why should I pay extra for a plastic cup?? He then proceeded to tell her he wouldn't charge her for the cup because "She is beautiful". That makes sense. So she comes back to the table and tells us this and we just shrugged it off. So we eat our meal, good as usual and then our bill comes. Just because of my last experience I decided I was going to count the bill. And what happens?? They overcharged us again!!!! This time by only $4. Unreal! Does this happen all the time?? You should never have to bring a calculator to a restaurant! But at Sound Bites you do! This is stealing!!!!! No matter what, it doesn't matter if its 1 dollar or 10 dollars its stealing from loyal customers! So I approached the man who gave me my check and told him there was a mistake and it was on from there. The owner came over and immediately became belligerent. He began yelling at our entire table in front of everyone there, so embarrassing. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and turned their heads to listen in on this guy! They made a mistake and did not even apologize. He became very aggressive and defensive saying he did not steal from us and that the charges were for the plastic cups and he would remove them.The cups only cost .30 cents and there was only 2 of us on our bill. Last time I did math 30 cents plus 30 cents does not equal $4. At this point he did not even acknowledge that they made a mistake, it was all our fault some how?? He then told us to never come back, and "Go on yelp and give me one star I dont care" My girlfriend then asked for a to-go box and he said "No I will not serve you" Seriously??? Not give a paying customer a to-go box because you made a mistake on the bill??? Great business right there!! I had to ask our waitress for a to-go box and she got it. So we took care of paying and were leaving and the owner opened the door and started saying "Thanks for coming" Talk about an alter-ego!!! No one said anything then I was the last one and shook my head and said "You just lost some loyal customers" And this guy had the balls to say GOOD DON'T COME BACK!!!! That just put the icing on the cake. I will never ever come back to this place and neither will my friends. I will never recommend this place to anyone and I will write to the BBB to make sure that they know there is a business in Somerville that is owned my a Narcissist WHO STEALS MONEY!!! This is not a good business practice. You never ever yell at a customer in front of anyone especially when you are the one who made the mistake. ONE MORE RECOMMENDATION! GO TO BALL SQUARE TAVERN, CLEARLY THERE IS A REASON WHY THERE LINE IS ALWAYS SO LONG AND THEY HAVE THE SAME MENU BUT HAS INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DOESN'T STEAL!! OR GO TO SOUND BITES, BRING A CALCULATOR AND BE PREPARED TO HAVE AN OWNER SCREAM AT YOU IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE.
(1)Lauren B.
I was visiting friends and they brought me to Sound Bites for breakfast. My eggs were great (maybe a little too much cheese - but is that really a bad thing?). Also, their potatoes are FANTASTIC. It's a different consistency than I've had before, and I could have eaten just that and been satisfied.
(3)Michelle L.
This i place is so great that my best friend actually blew off her 11AM plans to eat here. (Ok, so she pushed plans back to 3 but I'm telling a story here.) I love that they let you choose and pour your own coffee at Sound Bites. It's like being at home while you wait for Mom to finish cooking breakfast. Their fresh squeezed orange juice is crack. Two things I make sure to order: Grilled blueberry muffin. Homefries (or more like grilled mashed potatoes). Bring quarters to park.
(4)Melissa C.
Loooooooooooooove this place. Creative delicious food an good service. My favorite is the almond French toast with a mimosa yum!!
(5)Christina D.
challah French toast was great, but the hollandaise on the Benedict was awful. weird tangy flavor and not smooth consistency. also the self-serve beverage situation is a little odd and distracts from the meal.
(3)Will R.
This is the best breakfast place in Somerville. After the expansion, lots of room and shorter lines. The Ball Square cafe has a very similar menu - but less expansive than Sound Bites.
(5)T Z.
Many people I know really like this place but there didn't seem to be anything, well...good. Basically service was bad, we asked to wait for a seat outside (there was no wait but tables were full) and they would not let us. On the way out the busser pushed me out of the way while i was walking out and he got really annoyed. ha The first dish came in about 5-10 mins but the second came about 10mins later. awful. We ordered the goat cheese and pear french toast and the sweet pepper corned beef hash. Sounds great but they just did an awful job with it. F.toast was soggy and the flavors weren't right the hash was way too salty, I appreciate salty hash but this was overboard, i mean even the coffee was bad. We couldn't even finish the meal, it just wasn't worth eating. I'm a fan of greasy diner breakfast, creative gourmet brunches and most everything in between as long as it tastes good which this definitely didn't. Plainly: Just go to Neighborhood Restaurant!
(1)Lucinda P.
Where do I start? I've had so many great experiences at this restaurant, that it's almost embarrassing that I haven't reviewed it yet. It's time to change that trend, and let people know -if they sadly don't already- what a fabulous treasure this place is. First, think about what you want from breakfast.. Eggs, veggies maybe, superbly prepared mashed-then-fried potatoes, coffee or tea of course, juice, maybe crisp bacon, pancakes or fruit-stuffed french toast. You name it, they do it superbly here. And think about when you want it. What's that? In the middle of the afternoon or evening? No problem! Awesome breakfast, served quickly, ANYTIME. Oh, and they do dinner, too, in case your friends aren't down with the late breakfast thing. This place is an institution, and it is for a reason. You can count on it for prompt, efficient service and high quality, reasonably priced food. I will keep coming back, as would any sane person who likes to eat.
(5)Jamie L.
1.) I have never been to a restaurant where the wait included bar seating. After waiting awhile at the front desk with no help (and I didn't see a "Please wait to be seated" sign), we noticed there were tons of bar seats open - all but two. So we decided to just eat at the bar, whoops! I'm an a-hole! 2.) Get your own darn drinks! I go out to be served and chat with my company, not take turns weaving through crowds and figuring out how to get the drink I want. Nothing in the case was priced. I don't mind shelling out some dough to enjoy myself, I just might have been more inclined had I seen the numbers. The cups and water were behind the register and servers cashing out, the ice was around them on the other side on a stool in a wide open cooler. Oh the circles I ran in trying to serve myself coffee and water. Was I supposed to get my own mimosa? I wanted one after I was done eating, but all I got was my bill... 3.) There was not a single red pepper in my sweet red pepper hash. It was out of a can, it may have been two cans worth. They put the eggs right on top of it, no biggie, just thought you should know. 4.) The berry pancakes were more like a pile of berries circled by some tough pancake-like stale bread. Where there were berries there was no pancake, and vice versa. 5.) My friend's pear and goat cheese French toast was soggy on the outside, gritty on the inside. The texture was like I was eating something regurgitated, the after taste left me with the same impression. We sent it back. Read my other reviews, I'm really not that picky! 6.) We had trouble deciphering if they even had homefries. In scanning a menu for them (as they came with nothing), I was not looking for "Noplacelikehomefries." Cute twist, but difficult find, for the dyslexic most especially. Griddled mashed potatoes are not homefries, but they are delicious!! 7.) Nothing came buttered. This is fine, put it on the side, whatever... but please, why do I have to work for it? I hate fighting those darn butter packets! 8.) There is no door on the kitchen. This made for a very hot room even with the air-conditioning. When the air-conditioning blew, it was too hot I couldn't eat anymore. Yes, this was probably a rare event, but it was a digustingly humid day. No one propped the door to let the sweltering kitchen heat out so it was quite suddenly much cooler outside!?! In conclusion, I believe this is the kind of place you could frequent, get used to some of these quirks, and order accordingly. Had I been better informed I might have adjusted and settled in with more ease. Thank goodness I was not hungover, enjoying this place was a lot of work already!
(2)Roxane J.
Do not go to this place. A group of friends and I wanted to hit The Pub for their awesome chicken wings but it was Brewers playoff night so we went down the street to Sound Bites and everything was bad-the food was old and should have been thrown out but it was served to us instead. We ordered the Middle Eastern plates but it was obvious that they were storing old food that should have been thrown out. Really, everything about this place was wrong, dirty, and spoiled. It started with the beer-the taps were dirty. We did complain about the beer and the bartender poured another and told us the taps had just been clean and we must have gotten the old tap beer. After we received the food, my friend wouldn't let us complain also about the food. (A former waitress-she has rules about being a customer.) I just won't eat there again.
(1)Lauren S.
It's that breakfast place after you've walked by Kelly's but haven't yet gotten in line at the Ball Sqaure Cafe. Good stuff: Delicious food. Great menu. Good coffee. Really, it's a great breakfast place. BUT ... If you want food just as good, and not feel like you're being rushed out the door, go next door to the Ball Square Cafe. Bad stuff: It's just a little too hectic once you get inside. People rushing around all over the place, while you try to run the wait-staff obstacle course to get your coffee. And once you take that last bite of delicious food, your plate will be gone and a check left in its place. If you don't pay your check and leave immediately, you WILL be hounded. Did I mention you can head next door do Ball Square and not get rushed out the door while enjoying a similar menu and delicious food?
(3)Maria V.
So.... I like this restaurant's name. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. I also liked that the drinks were self-serve (negative: kind of expensive @ $2.75 for a cup of coffee - unless you get refills, which are free). And I liked that the home fries were actually fried mashed potatoes (in theory anyway - in practice they were blah, and I ended up eating only the crispy layer). But most of all I liked the menu options. LOTS of stuff sounded REALLY, really good. If you're one of those quasi-vegetarians who consume "but only" fish/eggs/chicken (in my mind you're an omnivore... sorry), there are tasty-sounding options like tomato-avocado eggs benedict. If you're into sweets, they have pancakes & french toast piled in fruits, grilled muffins, etc. (disclaimer: I'm a non-vegetarian, savory-loving kind of gal, so I'm going on assumptions here). My excitement for the menu ended in disappointed when the food came out. It was nowhere near as good as it sounded. The eggs benedict was gross. One of the poached eggs was fine, the other cooked stiff. The sauce is odd-tasting, at best. I normally LOVE hollandaise sauce so I was pretty disappointed. I've literally never had it this bad: oily, chunky, and kind of tart. Like... curdled taste and texture. And this is hard to describe, but it actually tasted kind of dusty? I don't know. The bacon was the flimsy skinny type that they sell pre-cooked/microwave-ready at the supermarket. Tasted fine though. And corned beef hash is actually quite good. This place isn't super expensive, but by all means not cheap either. You can get much fresher, tastier breakfast food at any of the nearby diners for maybe half the price. Breakfast for two (two dishes and two coffees) cost me $35 (tip excluded). Not sure if I'll go back. If for some reason I do return, I'll stick to the basics (something like eggs benedict seems beyond their culinary skill level).
(2)Dan B.
$15 per person. Good, but not extraordinary. Best thing ordered was the eggs benedict. Challah french toast was good. Jalapeno omelet was alright.
(3)Holly H.
Sound Bites, i moved from Cambridge almost 4 years ago and i still have sticky sweet dreams about your french toast and I never did mind too much the years of holding out while you tried to rush us to flip the table, every time i'd show up with a group. i hear you're all grown up now and bigger and probably play nicer now.
(5)Nick M.
I've been dying to check this place out for a few years. We finally went there this past Sunday for brunch. Knowing that it's pretty popular, we called ahead to see what the wait was -- surprisingly at 1PM on Sunday, there was no wait After arriving at the front door, a few parties had come in ahead of us, so there was a small wait for a 4 person table. Not a problem, as the coffee bar is self service, so we were able to have a few cups of coffee while we waited. To touch on this "coffee bar", this is quite genius. There are hanging mugs above the counter and at least 7 different kinds of coffee (regular, decaf, Italian Roast, flavored, etc). There's also tea, many types of sweetener, iced coffee (need to ask for a cup with ice) as well as many types of syrup and flavor shots. I stuck with my favorite - Italian Roast After we were seated, we ordered our food and then I realized there was also self service water -- a total score in a place like this, where you would probably have to wait about 10 minutes to get this. I was able to get up, get two waters and get back to the table in under a minute - not too bad The food was pretty decent. I went for an omelet, which was cooked perfectly. Someone else got the hash (tasted amazing), the french toast (also amazing) and I can't remember the 4th dish I did not realize there was a bar there, so I can't attest for the service at the bar, though I did notice BBC Steel Rail on draft, which is a plus Definitely worth checking out for the breakfast alone; the lunch/dinner menu looks good too. I'd recommend either going really early or late on Sunday
(4)Emily O.
Here is my best tip for Soundbites: Go down the street to Kelly's and save yourself the frustration of waiting in line for so-so French Toast and crappy pancakes. I used to write restaurant reviews for my college magazine, and was so pissed when my editor made me revisit this shithole. Omelets are flavorless and seriously milk-diluted. Pancakes taste WATERED DOWN and the chocolate chips they use are gross. Fruit is not fresh, period. This place has nothing on Kelly's, and it ain't so cheap, either. Dear Soundbites: That grilled mashed potato cake thing is not "home fries." Get it straight!
(2)Patricia F.
I love this place. The food and the service are out of this world. I have never had a meal here I didn't love. My favorite is there breakfast menu. Prices are great and so is the decor.
(5)steve g.
The best breakfast in Ball Square. Accept no substitutions! Though if they are crowded, be sure to decide what you want to eat quickly and not sit at the table for a long time after you are done.
(5)Mando L.
outstanding brunch! the line moves fast, so do not be intimidated. the food is always incredibly fresh and incredibly well made every time. their cereal crusted French toast is BOMB!
(5)Juju W.
Price is very reasonable. Food is delicious. I like their stuffed French toast. Egg Benedict is better than average. No wait on Easter Sunday!
(4)Elizabeth F.
Years ago, when Sound Bites still occupied the space now inhabited by Ball Square Cafe, I referred to the restaurant's owner as the Home Fries Nazi--a riff from the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. The reason was that I ordered the Art, Tom, and Jack Omelet and asked if I could get fruit instead of the home fries. He said, "No." and walked away. The intervening years have mellowed him into a kinder, gentler, brunch-focused restaurant owner. Today, when I ordered the asparagus and tomato eggs florentine with the hollandaise on the side and fruit instead of the home fries, he said, "Okay." Later on, when my dining companion ordered a side of home fries as his meal didn't come with them, the owner gave them to us on the house. My companion ordered the corned beef hash, and the look of pleasure on his face as he ate the first bite can't be described in a PG-rated environment. Also: free coffee refills. Key on a Sunday morning.
(4)Wendy K.
I have been to Sound Bites several times, and unfortunately, I keep forgetting that it's not my favorite brunch place, so I keep going. I love the atmosphere, and the get-your-own beverage plan (which ensures that you don't wait for water or coffee). The service has always been satisfactory and the waitstaff is friendly. Why only three stars, you ask? I will tell you that it is based solely on my opinions regarding home fries and omelets, and the reason I'm posting this is to inform fellow omelet enthusiasts about the way in which Sound Bites omelets are made. They basically cook scrambled eggs in a large patty form, and then throw a bunch of cheese, veggies and/or meat inside and fold it. What results is a hot egg patty with a bunch of cold fillings inside. My favorite example of this is one of the omelets with avocado, where they use an entire half of an avocado, not cut up, and throw it inside the said egg patty. I tend to want some roasted potatoes when I order home fries, but that's just a preference. Be aware that when you order the home fries, they are not cut up potatoes, they are a mound of mashed home fried potatoes. I give them kudos for trying something different and the potatoes taste good, but seem to get cold quickly, so don't wait too long to eat them. There's not a lot of parking, so be prepared to walk for a bit.
(3)Alex S.
There's nothing quite like an omelette with home fries and a bagel the morning (or afternoon) after a rough night out. Thank you sound bites for always being there when I need you most. Every omelette I've tried has been delicious, but my favorites are the olé and the special with avocado, tomato, and mozzarella. The olé omelette comes with a grilled corn muffin, which is unique and soooo delicious. And did I mention the melt-in-your-mouth home fries? ....perfectly seasoned mashed potatoes that have been put on a griddle and browned til they're crispy on the top and bottom and mushy on the inside. Yum. Also they deliver!! Which is great, because they get super crowded around brunch time.
(4)A Z.
The service blows donkey balls, it's tiny and cramped... but the food is fantastic. I loooooove their wonder waffles. Piled high with all the fruit you could ever eat, all fresh and tasty. Their hot chocolates are the bizzlebomb too. Oh oh oh, and unlike some other places, you don't need to be part of any hipster club to eat there. Hoorah to that. Oh and when I say the service sucks, I mean it's slow. I don't agree with the other reviewers who complain about the owner yelling at them for leaving a shitty tip, or for wasting space while people are in line. I think that's hilarious and those people deserve what they get. 15% is the new 10%, people. Ooooh, I just read they have a new location, so maybe it's not so cramped anymore after all!
(4)Ryan M.
I went around 11:30 on a Saturday; one of their busiest times, so keep in mind that this review reflects that. I needed a good "I woke up on a friend's futon after a great party, don't own a cellphone, I'm kind of hungry, and I'm trying to find the Davis Square T" breakfast, and this seemed like the place to go! The menu was a little misleading. You had to *know* that all the item (or just the omelettes?) included mashed potatoes (hash browns? Really garlic mashed potatoes) and a stack of toast. I thought I was ordering a plate of vegetables ($7.99) with a side of challah french toast ($2.99). Turned out, it was the biggest omelette I've ever seen in my life, with all the aforementioned side dishes. The french toast was awesome, and exactly as I expected. It took about 20 minutes to get to me, which isn't too bad, but it was a little sad when I was by myself, hungry, and sitting awkwardly at the bar without anything to read. They brought the bill to me before I had finished eating, which I didn't mind, but if you're dining with a friend and plan to be there for a bit I could see it being annoying. The waitress also took my plates when I was only questionably done. I realized I didn't feel like finishing the potatoes and toast after she started taking them away, so whatever. A few things they could have done better: Drink prices. Drinks are self-serve and I had no idea how much they cost before I got the bill. I had a large coffee for $2.50, which is reasonable, but it's just good to know, you know? Butter needs to be warm. Yeah, this is a nit-picky thing, but it would be SO much better if the butter were spreadable when they brought it to you, instead of the recently-refrigerated butter packets that take forever to melt. The food was good and there was a ton of it -- hence the three stars.
(3)Luke A.
Why does this place have schitczophrenic reviews? Why do half the people rave and half hate? The food at this place is stunningly good. The basics are great (pancakes, french toast) and they have a few twists on the menu that give the food an edge over your average breakfast spot. There is a line all the time. Good news: the owner keeps people movin. You won't wait long. Bad news: you won't eat long, cause the owner keeps people movin. You get your own coffee, which I like, your food comes right out and they remind you how to find your way out when you look like ur done. If you're OK with that this place is awesome if not, then u'll hate it.
(4)Jacqueline L.
The brunch at Sound Bites is just awesome, the selection of menu items is really vast and everything that I had so far tasted really yummy. Also, the open Coffee bar has different types of coffee, which I really appreciate. The only thing that's a shame here is that the servers most of the times really rush you - they often bring you the check while you're still eating. All in all though, it's a really nice place to come have breakfast/brunch!
(4)Katherine D.
Best breakfast I've ever had. I live right down the street so I'm lucky to get my bfast-fix during the week to beet the lines. (Which are astonishing on a saturday or sunday morning) My favorite is the stuffed french toast. The omelets are great also! Sometimes I would stop in for coffee on my walk to work in the mornings, it's always fresh!
(5)Kristen B.
I really don't understand how Sound Bites has such a big hype around it. Boyfriend and I went there for brunch on a Sunday when we found out our nearby lunch choice was closed. We figured "Hey, Sound Bites is supposed to be really good and neither of us have been there so might as well check it out while we're here." I got a simple scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. 1) The eggs I can't really judge since I was being adventurous ordering them in the first place since I normally don't eat eggs. However my boyfriend tried some and wasn't impressed. 2) Bacon. Skinniest, most limp piece of bacon I have ever received in a breakfast restaurant. Ridiculous. They were pretty much the equivalent of the Oscar Meyer Ready to Serve Bacon that you microwave for like 15 seconds and its done, which don't get me wrong I love when I'm at home for the pure convenience of it, but when I get bacon at a restaurant, I want the real deal and Sound Bites does not give you the real deal. 3) Home Fries. I have a mixed opinion on this one. The texture was interesting how they were more like mashed potatoes, and at first I liked it but after eating them they left a very bad aftertaste, that I just couldn't pinpoint what they might have added to them to cause that. 4) Toast, or should I say bread. My "toast" was barely even toasted. Like they put it in the toaster for a second and took it out again. It was cold too. Toast is pretty hard to mess up, but they did. That says a lot. Again, I don't understand the hype around this place because the breakfast I had here was pretty bad in all aspects. It was my first experience here, but I really can't even bring myself to give them another chance.
(1)Aboud Y.
Great breakfast place; I'd say the best breakfast in Boston's er I mean Somerville's breakfast Mecca (otherwise known as Ball Square). Other options in the area include Ball Sq Cafe (the copycats next door) and the decent Kelly's Diner. Sound Bites beats them all with a great menu, delicious pancakes and eggs, and friendly service. Beware the lines on weekends though.
(3)Jenn D.
the stuffed french toast was delicious! and i also liked the self serve drinks. try the chocolate raspberry coffee
(4)Sara Y.
Awesome! Had a large group and they did what they could to accommodate. Then the food came out and everyone's dish looked so good. It tasted as good as it looked.
(5)Jeannie H.
I came here for brunch and though the line appeared insurmountable with my growling stomach, it moved quickly and I was seated within 15 minutes. Atmosphere - The atmosphere is bustling and crowded but not overwhelming. I actually enjoyed the energy on a Saturday morning. Service- The service was rapid. Our food came within 10 minutes of ordering. Food - The coffee is awful. It's so watered down. I ordered the French toast that was encrusted in granola and walnuts and then smothered with blueberries and caramelized bananas. It was so so good. So good. I also got an omelette with tomatoes and artichokes. I think the egg was a little too thick and not delicate enough. This was a great place for brunch but likely not a place I'll come back to for a regular meal.
(4)Chris C.
On my recent visit to the Fletcher School, I was completely caught off guard by the gem I found located right off of campus. I was quickly seated at the bar with my friend (despite a packed restaurant) right in front of the tv on football Sunday. Though I could've been sold at that very moment, but obviously that wouldn't have made for much of a review. I ordered the cubed combo -- Eggs, a bagel/toast/ french toast/ and a meat of choice. Thinking that because the prices were so low, the portioning would be small, I ordered a side of homefries. Was I ever wrong about the portioning... The coffee was delicious, diverse in flavor selection, and fresh. Sound Bites gives you an option of adding any number of flavoring syrups at your own discretion. The food quickly came out and I was blown away by the amount on the plate. It took a good 45 minutes of chowing down in the pleasant atmosphere to even make a dent in my meal. I finally finished, virtually bulging at the seams where I sat. Just when I thought that this experience was as successful as possible, the owner came by and spoke personally with me, inquiring about where I was from and what I was up to in Medford/Somerville. He then insisted that the bartender (who I had bantered with about nfc/afc rivals throughout breakfast) make me a mimosa on the house. Why, you may ask? I honestly have no idea. My only assumption is that the owner is really that good of a guy, interested in what his customers have to say. I will be headed back to Fletcher in the Winter and I can assure you that I will find myself sitting in Sound Bites every morning throughout my stay.
(5)Laura G.
Sometimes I can't help but think that perhaps I'm not ordering the right things at certain places that are raved about, yet I find simply meh at best. Granted, I did order a simple egg dish, but shouldn't that be something that is done well first? I mean come on now, order of operations here people! Must master simple scrambled eggs before moving on to harder tasks, I'd hate to see how they fare with Eggs Benny or even gasp, Hollandaise sauce. To sum it up, this place is like an assembly line of food that disappoints. Not only that, but the service is consistently giving you a subtle "get out" vibe that i got the second I walked in the door. Having gone at a more tame brunch hour, the line was nonexistent. Well, it wasn't out the door anyway, we had to wait a few minutes. We walk in: Hi. How many? Two please. Ok 5 minutes. *stares at us almost angrily* Um, is it ok if we wait inside? OK. (from the start it seemed like he wanted us on the other side of the door) We sit. Barely get a chance to open the fairly expansive menu before someone comes by to ask if we're ready. No dude, we just effing sat down. A few minutes pass, still pondering. Asks us again. By the time we had actually decided (and mind you, it was not an abnormally long time) he had asked us if we were ready about 4 times. Rush us much? The drinks are self serve which has its ups and downs. I'd prefer not to have to get up and serve myself in a restaurant setting, but hey, for whatever reason, Ball Sq seems pretty keen on this set up. (see: Ball Square Cafe - and a much better option by the way on the whole). I grab some "fresh squeezed" OJ. It has a strange taste. Boyfriend said the coffee was solid though. Not that it does me any good... Food comes up astonishingly fast. Like, almost too fast. The kinda fast that makes you wonder about what went into the preparation. The food was as if it was someone who's never cooked before first attempt at making breakfast. While there were no glaring major errors to report, it was far from what I would consider good. And even farther from what others have considered the "best of Boston". While the order was made correctly, I was expecting more considering the reviews and its proximity to a high profile rival, the Ball Sq Cafe. I figured it would at least be in competition with its neighbor. The "home fries" were really a lump of strangely sour mashed potatoes (another category in which the Ball Sq Cafe severely has them beat... they make awesome fried mashed potatoes). These are not "home fries". They aren't even hash browns. They're a strange mixture that led me to believe I was getting one thing and didn't. About halfway through my meal, one of the people who work there literally tried to wrestle the food out of my hands. She asked me if I was done, I said "no, I'm still working on it" and she reached over me and tried to take the plate away. Really? why even ask me if you're just gonna try and snatch it anyhow? The check was dropped off immediately (what if I wanted to order something else?) and the second we dropped some cash down on the table, their supersonic hearing picked up on it and they immediately got the bill paid. While normally I am all for prompt service, it really felt like they just wanted us the hell outta there. I'd hate to see how much they rush you out when there is actually a line of people waiting for a table. Do yourself a favor and go nextdoor. The service is friendly, welcoming and the food is a million times better. Soundbites, I don't get it.
(2)Ryan S.
Since I moved to Boston, I have been looking for a great breakfast spot, and I have been having trouble finding a good one. Well, this place takes the cake. I am clearly not alone in thinking this as there is always a LONG line to get a seat. That can suck on cold days, but it is so worth it in my opinion. This place is my next morning after a fun night out place, and it always satisfies. Though the line is long and the wait can be too, they are very efficient at fitting people in quickly and are very friendly dealing with the crowd of people that might be otherwise grumpy from waiting in line. You can serve yourself a cup of coffee while you wait in line to pass the time too. The atmosphere is lively, warm and welcoming. The service is fast and friendly. And the the food...the food is sooo flavorful and delicious! They are creative with their meals and offer flavors that you rarely find in the greater Boston area. My only complaint, the breakfast burrito is not served on weekends. Being a So Cal guy, I miss a good breakfast burrito after a night of drinking. Maybe someday they will change that. I highly recommend going here for a great breakfast any day of the week though. Just be prepared for a line on the weekend, but unlike snooty Boston places, you can chat up people in line and maybe even make a new friend.
(5)shannon c.
I know this place has been in the news a bunch because of the owner. I could care less. I've only had to wait in line once. I tend to go a little later for brunch on the weekends - usually after noon and I never have a problem getting in. Their Eggs Benedict was spot on. Oh my God was it delish. I wanted to eat the whole thing but I couldn't because I was so stuffed and that made me the saddest person on earth to leave half of it on the plate. The drinks are serve yourself and the waitstaff really only takes your order and brings your food. I always have a hard time figuring out what to tip in this situation. I totally believe in tipping, but when you aren't checking in on me, bringing me drinks etc. I'm reluctant to leave the standard 20%. I left 15%. I acknowledge that they do clean my table and take the care to get my food for me so I feel like that's a good standard to live by. My boyfriends French toast was amazing. I loved it. Also, the coffee options are great. Good flavors and I do appreciate preparing it myself. Totally worth coming here, and if I had to, I would wait in the line.
(4)Alex B.
Very good breakfast. I was looking to get out of Boston for a good breakfast and a friend from the area had recommended this place. It seemed to be pretty big with the Tufts crowd and has a collegiate feel to it. I am not sure if there is a T Stop nearby but parking in the area can be somewhat difficult. I ordered the Tomato and Avocado Eggs Bene. This was served with homefries that were more like mashed potatoes, yumm. And their fresh squeezed OJ puts Tropicana and Minute Maid to shame. My friend got the corned beef hash and she really seemed to enjoy it as it is one of the few places that make it without onions. Overall, well worth the Saturday morning drive. Just be prepared to keep your eyes peeled for parking spots.
(4)Jamie C.
ok here's a tip if you hate waiting in line hungover on a Saturday morning - try soundbites for dinner and some drinks on a Wednesday night. I can't understand why this place hasn't caught on as a dinner destination. you can get breakfast all day, so if you need to fulfill a craving for french toast at 9pm you are all set. But the rest of the menu is really quite good, especially the middle eastern plates, mmm mousaka. It's so much less crowded and crazy at night, you can basically sit wherever you want (I generally choose the bar), the service is awesome and the people are so nice. AND they have a full bar. bloody marys and french toast on a Wednesday night while watching the red sox or bruins? Why not? And if you're lucky the bartender will make you special shots and bring you a fruit plate. LOVE IT.
(5)betsy y.
UPDATE: Mr. Mirza read my review and messaged me about it in less than 10 hours: BUSTED! I have to give him props for caring enough to follow his Yelp reviews and actually respond to the reviewers! And for that, we may give Sound Bites a second chance AND, I gave him another star. To be continued... ORIGINAL REVIEW: Judging by the other reviews, we must have eaten at Sound Bites on an off day. The food was about as fresh going in as it was coming out. Please excuse my candor, but I cannot shield you from the horror that was Sound Bites. The "homefries" which had the consistency of "home" instant mashed potatoes had a flavor I cared not to pinpoint if it meant taking another bite. I ordered the "grilled blueberry muffin" plate. Sounds fab, right? Except the muffin tasted freezer-burned. The omelet was edible. Luckily, our 2-year-old cared not a fig about old muffins grilled to cover up staleness, as he woofed down my entire meal...except for those "homefries," y'all. No. Just...no. Also, pro tip for the misogynistic owner-looking dude in the phony chef's smock who TOOK OUR ORDER (!?)...the mean Soup Nazi bit only works when your food TASTES GOOD.
(2)Bob B.
I know plenty of people love this place but I just don't get it, I have tried it for breakfast several times and, until now, assumed I was just catching them on a bad day. This last time will be my last time. How do you screw up pancakes? If you like them rock hard then you will like them here. They want to turn over the tables really quick so don't get too relaxed.
(1)Morgan B.
My roommate and I just moved to Arlington from Maine and we consider ourselves regulars at Sound Bites. It's our favorite breakfast spot and we always have a memorable experience every time we go. The owners are awesome and always bring us out little treats to try. My favorite thing is the French toast with caramelized bananas and strawberries. They have a French toast section in their menu that is very extensive. The omelets are also bomb.com . Such a great breakfast spot.
(5)Mara M.
This place is amazing. Service is quick, coffee is plentiful, and every dish I've ever had is awesome. Great friendly vibe too. A must-do for brunch!! Hibiscus mimosa yummmmy
(5)Brittany D.
To be fair, I have been to this place multiple times in hopes I got a bad time after the good one I had. Before I was brought here with friends and got the goat cheese and pear French toast, which was amazing and I raved about it. Until I went back. This last time, I'm over it. My boyfriend and I went around ten on a weekday and got sat quickly. We then endured, stomachs growling, about ten minutes of servers passing us by. Once out order was finally placed we were served their fruit bowl which came with their breakfast. It had obviously been from when the prep guy cut it because it was just old. You know when fruit sits it gets clear around the edges. That was what we got. Our breakfast was sub par as what I've gotten the past couple times. Too bad the first was the best.
(1)Jason S.
Dear yelpers and readers, You must be fair in your assessment of this restaurant. I've been going to this place for over 10 years now. The thing I appreciate about this place is they are willing to take a different stance on their food. Their hash browns are different. It's their spin on it and I like it a lot. If you don't like different spices and a totally different take vs. the sliced potato with onions/peppers etc. then that's your thing. I like it because it's unique. I've had the Eggs Benedict and it wasn't my all-time favorite, but solid. The french toast is special because of the bread and it is a little sugary (which I like). Get the fresh fruit on top! This recent visit, I got the pumpkin waffle with caramelized apples! Loved it. I'm not going to bag on the service because it is a family owned business. They aren't from america and they are very busy. If you are going to be stuck up snob about how they treat people, then that's on you. They have to run a business and why do they have a line out the door? because your ass is taking too long to eat while you chat about your drama that no one cares about. It's about eating and moving on. If this place was in NYC then you'd feel like you were in a peaceful environment. Go ahead and enjoy. If you are easily offended, then go ahead and pass on this place because it doesn't need your wimpy complaints.
(5)Melissa M.
I just wanted to get on and amend a previous review I wrote. We went in today after receiving a gift certificate after a bad "egg" experience (as the people at sound bites apparently call it). Everything was wonderful today and the wait staff and owner were very nice. And that was before they knew we were using a gift certificate from a previous bad meal. We got amazing banana blueberry pancakes (much better then the pumpkin) and the green omelet which was delicious. It's definitely back in our favorite breakfast places!
(5)Dan S.
Really good food, I only have had breakfast there but I'm sure lunch is good too. The self coffee station is really cool and easy. I would defiantly recommend this place to anyone who loves breakfast
(4)Christine D.
Amazing peanut butter and nutella stuffed French toast! They can make you pancakes in almost any flavor combination, its unreal. If you're more of a salty person than sweet they still have really good omlettes, eggs, potatotes, and breakfeast sandwiches. I didn't give it 5 stars because the coffee and drinks are self-serve, that is so annoying. Also, parking is always impossible to find. Great food though.
(4)Benny D.
Hands down best breakfast in Boston area. I have taken about a dozen friends and family here and they all loved it. Anyone in the know realizes it is the original compared to the knockoff next door (Ball Sq Cafe). If you don't believe me just google the history. Large quantities, quality and value combine here for the 5 stars. Try the broadway bowl, or anything... My buddy tried the sweet pepper hash today and said it was the best Hash he's ever had. The management is extremely kind. Self-serve all you can drink coffee caters to my value seeking nature. And it's good coffee with tons of flavors and sweeteners and such. Bottom line is you can't go wrong here. I am not sure how you could give this place a bad review but I guess sometimes you have to disregard the outliers...
(5)