Davis Square in Somerville, MA is an assortment of eateries, banks, vintage stores, offices, comic book stores all with independent, local flair. The only chains are a Chipotle and Dominos Pizza – why would anyone frequent these chains when there are several Mexican and craft pizza places in the square is beyond me.
Unlike some other squares in the area like Assembly Square in Somerville and Harvard Square in Cambridge, Davis Square keeps it’s funky, hip, local vibe alive with the Somerville Theater and a number of bars, restaurants, music and comedy venues.
Just up the road across from Powderhouse Park is a collection of small businesses and restaurants including this great little Mexican place “Tu Y Yo”.
We headed over to Tu Y Yo for lunch after helping our son move into his new apartment and ended up ordering off the brunch menu. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and great food make this place a winner.
Mexican Brunch at Tu Y Yo
858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144
Above: CHILAQUILES TOLUQUENOS
Tortilla chips bathed in your choice of red sauce or green sauce, topped with shredded chicken, Mexican sausage and a sunny side-up egg. Accompanied with avocado, black beans and your choice of sweet fried plantains or home fries
Above:
BRUNCH BURRITO
Large flour tortilla filled with Mexican rice, black beans, pico de Gallo, and your choice of Scrambled eggs, Chicken, Vegetables, and choice of Sauce: red or green
A hole-in-the-wall kind of small local restaurant but with a lively decor thanks to the fun murals inside.
Diner at Rosebud American Kitchen and Bar
381 Summer Street,
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 629-9500
info@rosebudkitchen.com
Six thirty on a drizzling, June night and we tried to go to the Italian restaurant “Posto” but were told there was an hour and a half wait so we tried our luck at Rosebud and got seated right away.
The front of Rosebud is a small classic diner car but there is a large building in the back of it which has a ton more seating. The rich decor has a warm industrial vibe with reclaimed woodwork, industrial lights, and an upholstered booth. We got a variety of comfort foods including fish and chips, French dip sandwich, and a shrimp and homemade pasta dish plus a couple of interesting draft beers. Excellent time.
Rosebud gets great reviews for their brunch served all week long so on the way out we made a reservation for their upcoming Wes Anderson brunch in celebration of the new movie coming out this summer “Asteroid City” where “The Itinerary of a Junior Stargazer convention is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.”
Tsurumen for a Lunch Time Ramen
TSURUMEN 1000
420 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144
Who can pass up a chance for a good ramen lunch? Tsurumen has a sign outside that indicates where the line starts during busy times as there is limited seating in this small restaurant. We got right in on a Sunday at 11:35 just after they opened. The staff was very helpful in explaining the menu at the countertop, we ordered and then selected a seat. The beautiful bowls of tasty ramen were served to the table. Osaka-style is served here with a small menu of three to five styles featuring store-made ingredients – noodles, broth and toppings are prepared by hand daily to ensure quality and freshness.
Ramen and life – “When Chef Onishi first set up shop in Davis Square, he decided he would close after one thousand days. With an end date in mind, he set out to enjoy every day by mastering his craft and sharing it with anyone who walked through the door.
Every two hundred days, the menu was updated to reflect a different chapter in Onishi’s lifelong relationship with ramen. However, Onishi found a new home in the process.
Although his retrospective is complete, Onishi will continue with his new goal to make the best ramen in the United States right here in Davis Square.”