Introducing: ASSOCIATES PHANTOM GOURMET
While many in Charlestown spent their Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend in and out of the Warren Tavern, or maybe made the trip over to South Boston on Sunday to catch the parade (Doubtful..), a few members of our organization hit the streets of Charlestown to work on a delicious new addition to this newsletter…
We're excited to announce the launch of our Phantom Gourmet series, highlighting the best, Associates Approved food spots in town! Join us as we embark on a culinary adventure through the streets of Charlestown with this new series. From cozy cafes to family-owned eateries and everything in between, we'll be showcasing the diverse and delectable dining scene that our neighborhood has to offer. Stay tuned for mouthwatering reviews, insider tips, and special features on local chefs and restaurateurs. Whether you're a foodie or simply looking for your new favorite spot, this newsletter will surely satisfy your cravings and ignite your taste buds!
First Category Up: HIDDEN GEMS
With so much development going on in Charlestown, new (and old) food joints can slip through the cracks when you’re figuring out plans for Thursday Dinner or a Saturday Brunch. So we spent our Saturday, eating (and drinking) around town, from the Navy Yard to the MBTA Bus Yard, bringing you our top picks for Charlestown’s hidden culinary gems! Despite a few minor hiccups including a towed car, an Irish Rugby match, and forgetting to check the hours of operation on Google, we think the day was a success. We look forward to doing more of this and sharing it with you! If you have any recommendations of where we should head next, be sure to pass them along!
But without further adieu, here are the top Charlestown Hidden Gems:
THE BREAKFAST BURRITO from Mama Ana
197 8th Street
CHARLESTOWN, MA 02129
Chances are you’ve heard of Style Cafe, which opened its doors for the first time at the Flagship Wharf building in the Navy Yard in 2008. But for many in Charlestown, who stick to their daily routine of Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Tatte or the occasional Mr. Q’s, the Navy Yard can get lost in the mix, with minimal parking being a major factor. However, if you find yourself on a morning stroll down by Old Ironsides, be sure to add Mama Ana’s to your route!
According to their website, Mama Ana’s is still made up of the same Style Cafe recipes, menu, dedication and love, just under a name that’s closer to the heart. “For quite some time, we have been looking for a way to recognize and honor the hard work and dedication my mother has provided to Style Cafe. She has played a significant role in the birth and growth of our business. Without my mother, we would have not gotten to where we are today. This is why we are changing our stores’ name to Mama Ana, inspired by the way all of our employees call her and the love my mother has provided to our staff, customers and business in general. She is the force that moves our business.” And the staff truly are amazing!
While they told us that breakfast does usually draw a bigger crowd, we were assured that their lunch, and panini’s in particular, are just as popular. And if you’re not in the mood for either, they have an extensive list of smoothies that will satisfy any craving.
But if you’re looking for a hearty MEAL with a little kick, you gotta go with the Breakfast Burrito - 2 eggs scrambled with scallions, chorizo, pico de gallo, avocado, cheddar, cheese, sour cream & pinto beans. It was just what we needed, (dare I say maybe too much), to give us a start on what was going to be a fun and food-filled Saturday!
Give ‘em a try! Tell them the Associates sent you!
LOMO SALTADO from Peruvian Taste Restaurant
78 Arlington Street
CHARLESTOWN, MA 02129
Peruvian Taste knocks both ”HIDDEN” and “GEM” out of the park! Nestled in between Sullivan Square and the Somerville line, this tiny (18 seats) mom-and-pop serving up traditional Peruvian comfort food in the shadow of the MBTA garage blew us away!
Boston Magazine says, “Peruvian Taste arrived during pandemic-times to the space that formerly housed Charlestown Cafe. It’s a morning-through-night destination that offers both American and Peruvian breakfast fare—including traditional tamales and waffles topped with lucuma ice cream—as well as lunch and dinner plates of ceviche, chicharrón, and more.”
But believe it or not, the Associates’ tasting team is not full of Peruvian cuisine experts, so we relied on the expertise of the incredibly friendly staff. And boy, did they deliver! Our top recommendation is the Lomo Saltado, which is beef heart marinated in Peruvian aji panca, grilled to perfection, and served with golden potatoes. It was a fantastic (and tasty) take on the traditional steak tips and rice dishes that you’re probably used to. But if you’re more of a seafood person, then we recommend you dive into the Ceviche de Pescado, which is their top selling item (3 other diners in the restaurant had ordered it). The Ceviche will not only scratch your seafood itch, but the pageantry involved in the presentation will blow you away!
STREET CORN OFF THE COB from Naco Taqueria
100 Hood Park Drive
CHARLESTOWN, MA 02129
Although Hood Park may seem like a world away, across the mighty Rutherford Avenue, it is home to a bustling and growing group of Charlestown restaurants and shops. Among these new restaurants, Naco Taco is tucked away in the rear side of Hood Park behind more visible restaurants such as Tradesmen. But don’t let crossing Rutherford scare you away- it’s incredibly easy to get to since there is a garage directly behind the restaurant with free parking as long as you stay fewer than 2-3 hours.
“Naco Taco first opened in 2015 in Central Square, featuring made from scratch tacos, tortas, sides and salads, served in a casual, colorful, and lively setting along with margaritas, cocktails, craft beer and wine.” Since that time, they have added a food truck (which you can actually rent for private events) and expanded into Charlestown’s Hood Park.
Aside from their famous Taco Bowl, Naco Taco dazzled the Associates with a smörgåsbord of appetizers that knocked our socks off. The top item that we believe every reader of this newsletter should try is the Street Corn Off the Cob, which can be thought of as the greatest chips and dip in Charlestown, mixing corn with a chile de arbol aioli and cilantro. It is the type of dip that you briefly consider eating with a spoon because you just can’t get enough of it. And if you’re feeling even more adventurous, maybe even slightly dangerous, order the Shishito Peppers topped with cotija, aleppo, sea salt, cilantro, and lime. (We’ve heard every 1 in 12 are spicy, so tread carefully)
But if someone in your group isn’t a huge taco or corn person, Naco Taco produces a strong candidate in today’s Chicken Sandwich wars with the El Sammy, a fried chicken sandwich with chile honey, red cabbage-carrot slaw, and a chipotle aioli. And be sure to wash all of this down with their fantastic margaritas- both house and spicy!
PIZZA and CHICKEN SALAD from Tavern at the End of the World
108 Cambridge Street
CHARLESTOWN, MA 02129
If you’re looking for a spot to unwind with a drink in your hand after, say, a long day wandering around Charlestown trying dozens of menu items, then we recommend you check out Charlestown’s lesser known tavern, Tavern at the End of the World. Tavern at the End of the World is often overlooked in the Charlestown restaurant/tavern scene because it is located in Charlestown’s (AKA the “World’s”) edge in the “Forgotten Village” (i.e. the area on the other side of Sullivan Square). But not checking out this hidden gem is a mistake.
Tavern at the End of the World is a small Irish Pub featuring 50+ beers & classic bar food, plus occasional live music and comedy shows. On the day the Associates showed up, the Tavern happened to be the host of a lively Ireland Rugby watch party as they took on Scotland to seal back-to-back Six Nations titles. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house! But as the game concluded, we were able to settle into a corner booth with a few Guinnesses and take in the scenery.
But this is still a food tour and it wouldn’t be Saint Paddy’s Day without some corned beef, would it? So, with some help from the bartender, we decided on Corned Beef Pizza and a Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. Whether you're a pizza purist or an adventurous foodie seeking new horizons, this unconventional pie alone is worth the battle of traffic in Sullivan Square! Even after an all day tour of culinary creations, the last slice stood no chance! And the Chicken Salad, unorthodoxly served warm, was just delightful!
The ambiance, the food, the Guinness, the company! Incredible. Be sure to add Tavern at the End of the World to your usual weekend haunts and definitely try the pizza!
