South Station, Back Bay, and Route 128 (Amtrak) dining options — at or very nearby

[bcc]

What can I say? Maybe it was a bad day. But it wasn’t like our previous visitl

[truman (Mara)]

It looked like maybe a 10-minute drive from the Rte 128 station - so, not convenient for anyone considering South Station or Back Bay, but maybe convenient for a meeting of someone coming/going by train and their local people.

[vinouspleasure]

we had a bunch of clients in Boston so I was there quite a bit. with a single piece of rolling luggage and my work backpack, I always walked to Chinatown before amtrak. I’d generally choose a restaurant and then grab a bunch of bakery items for the train trip/family. Admittedly, it was an awkward walk with luggage but I was living in the suburbs so it was hard to pass up decent Chinese food.

I don’t have happy memories of our Boston clients, not sure why I found the people on wall st so much easier to deal with.

[truman (Mara)]

I think what we’re seeing on this discussion is that there are far more dining options near the city stations than the suburban one! And yeah, Boston has its fair share of Massholes, but most of us are not.

[vinouspleasure]

My apologies, I didn’t mean to reply directly to you, it was a general comment for the thread.

[kumquat]

Not terribly interesting, but I’ve grabbed sweetgreen, Tatte, or Clover (all of which are within a few blocks on/near Summer St) on the way to/from South Station. If you’re up for something more hearty, Figaro’s is a few blocks further into the Leather District (still closer than Chinatown) and has enormous, delicious sandwiches. They may only be open at lunch, however.

I’ve haven’t gone out of Back Bay station in a while, but I was a big fan of Jugos, the juice and fruit stand just outside the station door (on the Dartmouth St. side).

[Saregama]

@truman

Within walking distance of the Route 128 station

This is a bit of a stretch even with a carry-on, given they are highway turn-offs and busy streets not designed for walking

But yes to all of these, NYAJ is probably the best option of the bunch to sit at for a not exorbitant meal (vs Del Friscos).

There are takeout options in the strip mall further down, but again, these are not “walking” options, but “pick up on your way” options.

[Saregama]

My recent favorite to pick up before the train is one of the banh mi places in Randolph, about 8-10 mins from 128. Like N&P Saigon Subs or Chaus.

I have been known to pick up lobster rolls (from other south shore sources) sometimes.

Quincy / Braintree / Weymouth / Hingham [MA] lunch options sought

Another visit to N&P Saigon for banh mis and cha gio. I called ahead to place my order because they were sold out of cha gio last time, which turned out to be the right decision, as they were frying freshly-made ones when I arived 15 mins later. The roast pork banh mi was very good this time, crusty bread and tasty pork (of which I asked for an extra $1 worth to be added). The cha gio were lovely and fresh (as in we burned our mouths because we had no patience to let them cool). On the amusi…

Quincy / Braintree / Weymouth / Hingham [MA] lunch options sought

I know Randolph isn’t part of this thread, but I continued my GBA banh mi exploration at the vietnamese stretch there, so I’m going to add it here. N&P Saigon Banh Mi seemed like a good bet, and was definitely a mom & pop operation inside. They ran out of cha gio because the person before me took the last 3, and the owner told me he’d make more (from scratch, ie fill and roll) but it would take half an hour. Nope. I got some banh mis and picked up a sticky rice lotus leaf parcel to try, and mov…

[Saregama]

Linking recent train food:

Quincy / Braintree / Weymouth / Hingham [MA] lunch options sought

Another train ride, another banh mi Actually, I almost missed my train to pick up a banh mi for the train … because my aunt didn’t want to give up the ghost even after I suggested she drop me off first and then go pick up the banh mis and then she could have two instead of one (I called ahead to order) . N&P sold out of bread earlier than usual, bummer (even though he called the store to see if he could get some more, and then called me back), and…

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

I get on/off at South Station, and what I usually do is bring my lunch snacks with me. If you’re really stuck, can you give your bag to the red cap baggage handlers? It’s supposed to be free at South Station, according to their website. At least that way, you can run and grab something better than the sad state of South Station right now.

But a few options - banh mi from several Chinatown places (this would probably be my go to if I had to pick up near by)
Phin Coffeehouse - if you like the idea of banh mi, but want it closer - High St - with DTX markup for the less “gritty” experience of the Chinatown standbys
Elephantine on Congress St (heading towards Seaport - just over the bridge)
Tatte on Summer St and CAVA a bit further down
High St Place has several nice eatery options and you can order ahead and pick up, depending on how early you are there

I’m usually just with a small/medium roller bag when I’m on Amtrak, so I do roll my bag around to grab lunch/snacks when I have too.

EDIT: And missed that this was a thread revival. Ah well…

[Saregama]

@kobuta

banh mi from several Chinatown places

Which ones do you like?

@kobuta

EDIT: And missed that this was a thread revival

Not really, I’d say train food is always an active question!

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

I get most of my banh mi local in Quincy these days, but I have always loved Mei Sum bakery’s tofu banh mi. I think their tofu is the best of the bunch I’ve tried. 163 Vietnamese Sandwich is also good and had been a popular place for a long time.

I don’t get to Chinese as much anymore, especially with Quincy having just and everything we need. There may be newer places I’ve never tried.

Since I like to bring easy, aroma-free foods on trains and planes, I also buy bao from Asian bakeries if banh mi isn’t an option. 180 Cafe and Great Taste have the traditional baos; Top Bread and Taiwan also have nice options.

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

Oops, Chinese was supposed to be Chinatown. Thanks, Gboard.