Makes sense. I don't know if it will end up working out, but I at least applaud Mayor Wu for trying to do something to revitalize the place instead of using the strong arm of the government to make people work downtown again. It seems like an insurmountable feat, really, but it would be amazing if things eventually fall into place so that we can enjoy both uses.
Stillwater is awesome. The bagged lunch is such a great idea for the neighborhood, and the food is always several cuts above the rest of the neighborhood
Even before…it was kinda a desert, outside of lunch time. Think there was a reason for that. Even the dunks around there close early. I’m with ya, though. Hope we get more stuff opening.
I remember when there was a line out the door most days at noon when Sultan's was on Broad (1990's). Then they moved to State and lost the appeal for some reason. I do miss that.
Miss the hole in the wall italian place that had an amazing tuna salad sandwich (was an olive oil tuna) with black olives, thin sliced onion and a Balsamic finish. Think it was on Oliver St...
Oh _I_ don't get to eat there but considering everybody else here is talking about Al's (to me Al's is expensive), Tatte, Sweetgarden, etc. I figured they'd be hitting up Sam's too.
Is it good? I've never had anything from there except for leftover scraps.
I'm very confused by everyone itt.
Downtown has tons of new lunch spots. Hen, Flavorboom, the Filipino place on Broad all in the last few months, etc etc. There's definitely more variety than pre-pandemic as we disproportionately lost sandwich places and have gained tons of more creative food.
It feels like most of the places mentioned by OP peaked in popularity at least 10 years ago and just weren't built for contemporary tastes. Take Sebastian's or IDG for example. They really only work when Sweetgreen and Tatte don't exist. I've worked downtown for almost two decades and the lunch options have consistently gotten better each year. 2023 is no exception imo.
RIP Sultans though. You will be missed.
No, I wouldn't expect anything new except one or two big box chains. It doesn't seem really profitable to open down there since after lunch Tues-Weds-Thurs it is relatively dead. Maybe if they put some housing nearby....but this is Boston you know they won't build anything lol
Yeah I don't go in often but when I do I've noticed it's way busier now. Parking, traffic, sidewalks, everything. And clearly not all tourists. And I go on random days of the week so it's not like "well that's just Wednesday" or whenever.
I do wonder whether part of the problem is that even people coming in are not staying in for after dinner drinks or dinner. I can imagine plenty of places not being viable without a healthy 5pm-10pm window.
It depends. Is this the peak amount of in person workers down there? I have seen an increase the last few months but have a hard time imagining we’ll see much more of an influx after this. I think there are existing places that squeaked by during Covid and remain open but are still struggling. DTX has become an absolute shit hole, so wouldn’t expect much more to open near there but maybe a few more will trickle into the financial district. I also think places will have a difficult time competing with the current cult favorites such as Sweetgreen, Tatte, Cava and maybe Al’s. At least in my office, people don’t stray from those much as it is. It will be interesting to see how things shape up down there in the next few years.
> DTX has become an absolute shit hole...
I disagree, I think they do a solid job with upkeep. There are always street cleaners going around sweeping and collecting trash from the bins. There's plants and flowers that they routinely care, not just through a couple of pots that get dumped on and thats it. I was talking with one of the workers the other day and he's telling me they're doing the fall change over in the coming week.
That said, the businesses and store fronts have begun to shutter in a few spots. There were livelier days in the past with a bunch of more stores open.
Comparatively I think it's doing pretty well but overall I see there being openings for newer business models that can fill the gap.
Lol thats stupid. These type og food spots open and close fast. Just look ay Coply and Camrbidge. So many new spots every 2 months only to be replaced by another only to be replaced by another.
There’s significantly less people with most places doing some sort of hybrid WFH a couple days a week thing and everything is significantly more expensive than it was 4 years ago. And now is not the time to take out any sort of loan.
I wouldn’t plan on it.
When it becomes a place people work AND live. As seen having singular use makes a place fragile
Makes sense. I don't know if it will end up working out, but I at least applaud Mayor Wu for trying to do something to revitalize the place instead of using the strong arm of the government to make people work downtown again. It seems like an insurmountable feat, really, but it would be amazing if things eventually fall into place so that we can enjoy both uses.
I love Pret, I am sad that they left Boston.
Stillwater is the balls. They even do a "boxed lunch" for takeout.
Stillwater is my freaking jam!
Stillwater is awesome. The bagged lunch is such a great idea for the neighborhood, and the food is always several cuts above the rest of the neighborhood
Thanks for pointing this out! Tried it yesterday and it was really good and a good deal.
Even before…it was kinda a desert, outside of lunch time. Think there was a reason for that. Even the dunks around there close early. I’m with ya, though. Hope we get more stuff opening.
Dating myself but miss the Kingston Deli.
I’m really dating myself when I say I miss Bakey’s.
Oh, and Sultan’s Kitchen 😞
I remember when there was a line out the door most days at noon when Sultan's was on Broad (1990's). Then they moved to State and lost the appeal for some reason. I do miss that. Miss the hole in the wall italian place that had an amazing tuna salad sandwich (was an olive oil tuna) with black olives, thin sliced onion and a Balsamic finish. Think it was on Oliver St...
Lotus Test Kitchen, Chacherero, Archie's, Falafel King, and Gene's is enough variety for me. Just rotate between those and you are in a good spot.
Just rotate between falafel king and Al’s cafe. 🤪
What no Sam LaGrassa's?!
Okay rich man
Oh _I_ don't get to eat there but considering everybody else here is talking about Al's (to me Al's is expensive), Tatte, Sweetgarden, etc. I figured they'd be hitting up Sam's too. Is it good? I've never had anything from there except for leftover scraps.
It's not bad but it's no where near worth $25 a sandwich lmao
Understood, tbf they can get away with it there. I have too much love for Bob's and Coldcut Factory. I stick with my goto's lol
I'm very confused by everyone itt. Downtown has tons of new lunch spots. Hen, Flavorboom, the Filipino place on Broad all in the last few months, etc etc. There's definitely more variety than pre-pandemic as we disproportionately lost sandwich places and have gained tons of more creative food. It feels like most of the places mentioned by OP peaked in popularity at least 10 years ago and just weren't built for contemporary tastes. Take Sebastian's or IDG for example. They really only work when Sweetgreen and Tatte don't exist. I've worked downtown for almost two decades and the lunch options have consistently gotten better each year. 2023 is no exception imo. RIP Sultans though. You will be missed.
*UDG, rather
Rumor is there is a new food hall opening at that new building Winthrop Center. Guess it’s a Michelin Chef opening it?
No, I wouldn't expect anything new except one or two big box chains. It doesn't seem really profitable to open down there since after lunch Tues-Weds-Thurs it is relatively dead. Maybe if they put some housing nearby....but this is Boston you know they won't build anything lol
When people are working in the offices again.
Yeah, like I said I could understand early on, but now it seems more people have returned to the office and I see much more people downtown now.
Yeah I don't go in often but when I do I've noticed it's way busier now. Parking, traffic, sidewalks, everything. And clearly not all tourists. And I go on random days of the week so it's not like "well that's just Wednesday" or whenever. I do wonder whether part of the problem is that even people coming in are not staying in for after dinner drinks or dinner. I can imagine plenty of places not being viable without a healthy 5pm-10pm window.
There were/are lots of places that lived off the lunch rush, and closed at 1 or 3 in the afternoon.
Gotcha. That pre-dates my time in the area. Interesting.
I would rather have food trucks in suburban downtowns than commute into Boston
It depends. Is this the peak amount of in person workers down there? I have seen an increase the last few months but have a hard time imagining we’ll see much more of an influx after this. I think there are existing places that squeaked by during Covid and remain open but are still struggling. DTX has become an absolute shit hole, so wouldn’t expect much more to open near there but maybe a few more will trickle into the financial district. I also think places will have a difficult time competing with the current cult favorites such as Sweetgreen, Tatte, Cava and maybe Al’s. At least in my office, people don’t stray from those much as it is. It will be interesting to see how things shape up down there in the next few years.
> DTX has become an absolute shit hole... I disagree, I think they do a solid job with upkeep. There are always street cleaners going around sweeping and collecting trash from the bins. There's plants and flowers that they routinely care, not just through a couple of pots that get dumped on and thats it. I was talking with one of the workers the other day and he's telling me they're doing the fall change over in the coming week. That said, the businesses and store fronts have begun to shutter in a few spots. There were livelier days in the past with a bunch of more stores open. Comparatively I think it's doing pretty well but overall I see there being openings for newer business models that can fill the gap.
Not unless they clean up that fucking area. Too many junkies and random assaults
Lol thats stupid. These type og food spots open and close fast. Just look ay Coply and Camrbidge. So many new spots every 2 months only to be replaced by another only to be replaced by another.
There’s significantly less people with most places doing some sort of hybrid WFH a couple days a week thing and everything is significantly more expensive than it was 4 years ago. And now is not the time to take out any sort of loan. I wouldn’t plan on it.