I am a junk food addict. I think that deep down I am just rebelling against the fact that my mother is a dietitian. After a childhood filled with sliced fruit and whole wheat bread, I love me a good cheeseburger. Since coming to HLS, I have been pleasantly surprised to find that some of the best burgers I’ve ever had are right here in Cambridge. No joke. Here’s a rundown of my three favorite burger joints around campus.
The Druid (Inman Square)
I have been going here all year for Wednesday night trivia (which is awesome by the way). I got one of their burgers a couple months ago and have been hooked ever since. This is a pretty standard Irish pub with a chilled out vibe and absolutely great food. I’ve heard people also give high marks to the Irish stew and the fish and chips, but I’m a burger guy myself. I’m also a fan of the fact that the dude flipping burgers in the back usually taunts the guy running trivia on Wednesdays by yelling out random categories. It’s good times. The only downside is that the burger options are limited to with or without cheese (really, no bacon?).
R.F. O’Sullivans (Beacon Street)
I discovered this place last weekend. A friend of mine boasted that they had the best burgers in Boston. While I would definitely need to do some more research before settling on that conclusion, the burgers were pretty great. My buddy and I went with the “house burger,” which is a cheeseburger topped with bacon and ham. Needless to say we pretty much got carted out of the place, but it was well worth it. Also, O’Sullivan’s has one of the most inviting atmospheres I’ve ever experienced while wolfing down a burger. Wood paneling, fireplaces mounted in the walls, the whole nine yards.
Bartley’s (Harvard Square)
Bartley’s is a Harvard Square landmark. At the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Harvard Street, this burger joint is just across from the undergraduate campus. If you visit Harvard Square around mealtime, it’ll be the place with the line going out the door and up the street. Honestly. I think people come for the history as much as the food, as Bartley’s has been serving Harvard students for nearly 50 years. The place boasts a lengthy burger menu, with sandwich names such as “The Stimulus Package” (BBQ, grilled onions, & bacon) and “The People’s Republic of Cambridge” (cole slaw & russian dressing). Kitsch aside, Bartley’s makes a darn fine burger. One word of caution though — try to avoid the busy times (weekends, holidays) because the place can get cramped and the service starts to dip.
– Anit
