Cheap Eats

Dining at the BBC--no not the network, the restaurant!

Ale ain't the only thing on the menu at the British Beer Company

by Maggie Kulbokas

Upon our return from off Cape, we decided to stop for a quick bite at a favorite Upper Cape spot, The British Beer Company.  It was early, not much after 5pm and we were seated immediately in their across-the-pond inspired dining room.  Our server and the young woman shadowing her for the evening (in training) were sweet and attentive.

Having dined at this particular restaurant (they have several locations) a few times, and enjoying the food each time, the hardest part is picking something from the menu.  Almost everything sounds tasty and everything we’ve tasted has been.

The menu is uber casual and pub inspired.  Appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, salads, pizza and Brit fare fill the pages.  Dinner entrees are minimal, but who cares when you can nosh on an app and a sandwich or salad for what you would pay for dinner alone at most restaurants.

I typically start with chowder, as the BBC’s is particularly good, but tonight, we opted for their Mediterranean Artichoke Dip. I’ve sampled artichoke (and spinach) dip up and down the Cape.  And although theirs is not the best (that honor belongs to a restaurant in Wellfleet in my book), it was quite tasty. Not as hot as it should have been, it was creamy and you could taste how all the individual components mixed together.  God bless the person who first decided to mix artichoke, spinach and cheese. And extra points to the BBC for serving them with toasted pita chips! Other restaurants take note: nacho chips do not cut it.

Looking for a night of great food and entertainment? Check out the BBC events page for Karaoke and live entertainment.

To follow, the Flat Iron Steak was delicious.  I planned on dousing it with the steak sauce on the table, but there was no need—the green peppercorn demi-glace was tasty and just spicy enough.  Coupled with the creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed seasonal veggies (summer squash and zukes, what else?), it was a tasty dinner I didn’t have to prepare at home.

The Fireman’s Famous Steak Wrap was quite good. Shaved porterhouse, crumbled bleu cheese and caramelized onions in a whole-wheat wrap. Lean and yummy, with the bleu cheese adding just the right kick.  Add the crispy fries and one of those deli pickles you can’t actually get in a deli. And again, yummy.

As I mentioned above, we’ve been before and I again say (through others and personally) that everything has been delicious. From burgers and paninis to salads and pizzas. AND one last suggestion, try a Pasty Pie. As mentioned before, this is a Brit-inspired establishment. They have bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips on the menu.  But try the Pasty Pie. For me, not the ideal choice on a humid night, but come fall or winter dive in!  It’s an incredible comfort food feast in a flaky crust. I can personally vouch for the New England Pasty: Turkey, cornbread stuffing, cheddar mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Did I mention baked in a crust? And served with veggies and gravy? God save the Queen!

On a final note, we thought we made a bad choice showing up on a Tuesday as folks, many with children, began to fill up the tables. I overheard a server tell a four top it was Kids Buy One Get One (BBC, please correct me if I did not hear that right) night. We sighed and waited, and nothing happened. All the families were lovely as were the children—KUDOS to you all!

We’ve been to the Sandwich BBC several times, and the BBC has locations in Falmouth, Hyannis, Plymouth, Cedarville, Framingham, Pembroke and Walpole. Prices are reasonable and portions are perfect.  If they are as consistent in service and menu at their seven other locations, they are making a lot of hungry patrons very happy.

The Sandwich British Beer Company is located at 46 Route 6a in Sandwich. Visit the website here or 508-833-9590.

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Noble House means Kid friendly dining on Cape Cod

How to have fun eating out with your children

The Japanese-trained Hibachi chefs will keep your kids spellbound for the whole delicious meal especially when he lights the "volcano" made of onion rings on the right. Pat Brooks photos.

By Walter Brooks

The chef threw a raw egg in the air and caught it spinning on his spatula till he cracked it in flight.

Don't overlook the Sushi and Sashimi. This Deluxe 18 piece sashimi is only $25.95.

Dining out while on vacation with children can be a problematic experience, with the wait between courses and the time it takes to get served in a busy restaurant during the summer season.

Not so at the Noble House Grille & Suchi Bar on Route 28 at the Harwich-Dennis border where your children will sit in rapt attention at the crafty, culinary cunning of the Japanese chef as he balanced eggs on his spatula, tosses morsels into their mouths, and even light a flaming volcano on the cooking table literally inches in front of your kids.

Owner Joe Liu has a second location on Bearse's Way, Hyannis, called Kobie House.

Good food, good value
The entrées include a very good miso soup followed by a large, spicy salad, a complimentary flamed shrimp serving and the main course is followed by rice and a pile of sautéed vegetables shown on right above.

While most kids ordered chicken, the adults ordered the salmon or filet mignon, and the whole ensemble is shown being prepared in front of us on the right above.

This may be the first restaurant meal you've ever had with your children where they sat quietly and watched the action.

Hibachi Dinner Combinations
The combo prices run from $22.95 to $25.95 and include choices like Shrimp & Chicken, Shrimp & Scallop, Sirloin Steak & Chicken, Sirloin Steak & Shrimp, Sirloin Steak & Scallop, Filet Mignon & Chicken and Filet Mignon & Shrimp.

Sushi Regular includes a California Roll & 8 piece sushi, $17.95.

Sushi Deluxe has a Tuna Roll & 8 piece sushi for $21.95, and the spectacular Sashimi with 15 piece of sashimi was also $21,95.

See the full menu here.

Noble House Hibachi Grille and Sushi Lounge
21 Route 28, West Harwich, MA 02671, (508) 432-8855  email; joeliu78@hotmail.com

Kobi House Hibachi Grille and Sushi Lounge
489 Bearse' Way, Hyannis, MA, (508) 790-3688

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Meservey's: a family restaurant with friendly prices

An olde Cape Cod feeling for a recession-minded family

Meservey's Family Restaurant in South Chatham on Route 28 between Chatham and Harwichport is open daily from 11 to 11 except Wednesdays when it opens at 4:30PM. The porch is a cool option for large family groups like these happy visitors from New York.

These Chatham natives know how to cater to locals and tourists

By Walter & Patricia Brooks

Most nights you'll find members of the clan at hand. This is two named Doug, and yes, they're father and son.

We began with the Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings, $8.95, and the fabulous and fiery Cajun Shrimp, $9.95.

Pat segued into the really great Baked Stuffed Shrimp loaded with Maine Crabmeat. $19.95.

When the original Meservey came to Chatham in the early 1930s and opened the first Meservey's gas station in 1939, one has to wonder if he could have possibly dreamed of the successes his family would have here.

Most Cape Codders, as well as a million vacationers, have gassed up at one or another of the family's stations - the Meservey Hess station and Mini-mart opposite the Stop 'n Shop in East Harwich is one of the top in gas volume in Barnstable County.

Now these same folks should try filling up their bellies instead of their gas tanks at Meservey's Family Restaurant in South Chatham on Route 28 near the Harwich town line.

Family dining
Family prices

The Meserveys have always been auto racers as well as mechanics, so don't be surprised to see vintage cars and mint condition old trucks parked in the lot in front.

But it's the good home cooking and old time prices are what really attract the crowds today.

We couldn't finish the large helping of Buffalo Style Chicken Wings with plenty of celery sticks and bleu cheese dressing, and it was only $8.95.

We added the Cajun Shrimp which were really sensational for $9.95.

In both cases we asked the chef to use olive oil instead of butter and there was no problem with that either.

Entrees are served with either baked potato or rice, and salad can be added for a minuscule $2.95.

Patricia ordered five, jumbo Baked Stuffed Shrimp piled high with Meservey's homemade Maine Crabmeat stuffing and really good homemade Cole Slaw.

This was a real value at $19,95.

I went for their famous Captain's Platter for only $1. more, and it was baked, as well as big.

It included several jumbo shrimp, a big pile of tender and juicy bay scallops, a hunk of Chatham cod fresh off the boat that day, baked in White Wine and butter and topped with herbed bread crumbs, plus homemade Cole slaw.

Again, there was no problem when we asked that olive oil be substituted for the butter.

They have everything from creative pasta dishes, to pizza to steaks to seafood galore and a full bar.

A kids menu offers pasta at $4.96 and chicken for $6.95.

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Riverway: Simple, inexpensive, Cape Cod food

The Riverway Lobster House stays true to traditions
A menu made for recessionary times

By Walter Brooks

We launched our quest with Boneless Chicken Tenders, Buffalo style, and Fried Oysters.

But the piece d' resistance was a superb Wellfleet Oyster Pan Stew.

The next entree was Baked Stuffed Seafood Sampler.

And it's easy to get to from anywhere on Cape Cod.

We know you fellow Cape Codders only eat out once a week at best, and even less during these tough times, but we bring you glad tidings about where to go when you venture out again - the Riverway Lobster House in South Yarmouth abaft the Bass River Bridge is a bargain hunter's dream-come-true.

I know, you're a Cape Codder, and you don't do whale watches or mini-golf, etc., and you've ignored The Riverway for decades.

Fried oysters about 42¢ each

Well you were dead wrong, and we think these prices will get you out of the kitchen:

• Over two dozen fried oysters as good as any I've ever eaten, $10.99, that's about 42¢ apiece.
• A big pile of boneless chicken tenders, Buffalo style with house blue cheese dressing and garnish, $7.99.
• An enormous bowl of Wellfleet  Oyster Pan Stew served with a black pepper puff pastry and a side of veggies, $16.99, and I couldn't finish it all. This was a nightly special this week, but the whole menu is similarly priced.

Early Bird to Lobster & Crab Pizza

The Early Birds from 4-5:30 daily are served with soup or salad, dessert and coffee, and the entrees start from $10.99.

I used the word "traditions" in the headline because that's what this restaurant maintains.

My Oyster Stew, for instance, was made with milk, not heavy cream as so many nouveau chefs here do in a misguided attempt to please the palate.

What they do instead is mute the subtle favors of oysters and clams.

Riverway Restaurant offers a variety of delicious dishes prepared by Executive Chef Tim McDonough and his team.

Tim owned his own Ostervillee bistro for years, and brings a new flavor to this Cape Cod landmark which was recently purchased by Jason Siscoe who owns Wimpy's Cafe and Fish Market, an equally renowned Osterville eatery.

Jason is a young native Cape Codder who brings added, youthful zest to this longtime favorite of many in the mid-Cape area. For example, here is a sampling of his dinner seafood entrees:

Fih & Chips, $12.99, Fried Scallops, $14.99, Fried Oysters $17.99, Baked Seafood Medley $17.95, Grilled Salmon $15.95, Baked Chatham Scrod $15.99, Fisherman's Platter $19.99, Fresh Grilled Sword Fish $18.99, Native Fried Clams $15.99, Fried Shrimp $15.99, Baked Stuffed Shrimp $17.99.

Or, you can get a Lobster Roll from $14,99, Fish Tacos $9.99 and a Pizza from $14.99.

Notice to Vacationers

We know you're out there somewhere, and our stats on Cape Cod TODAY reveal about a third of our readers come from off-Cape, so we urge you to save money on this Cape Cod vacation by bringing the whole family to The Riverway at 1338 Route 28 in South Yarmouth, (508) 398-2172.

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The Burrito Place--green isn't just for guacamole!

Owners bring a zesty new taste to Falmouth

   Damien takes a gentleman's order at the Burrito Place in Falmouth.

Review and photos by Samantha Pearsall

Today marks three weeks since Owners Rich Rogers, Damien Palanza, and Richard “Smitty” Smith (owner of Smitty’s Ice Cream and Smitty’s Too) opened doors to The Burrito Place in East Falmouth and brought a new zesty taste to 02536.

My build your own burrito - complete with pulled chicken (white meat), yellow rice, cheese, sour cream, guac, black beans, corn and hot salsa, red onions, all wrapped tightly on a wheat tortilla.

The assembly line approach to the made-to-order burrito, taco, and salad creations is quick, fun, and mouth-watering as you browse all the ingredients. All employees who had a (gloved) hand in making my “build it yourself burrito” were helpful and humorous—despite the long line of anxious, hungry customers. Each politely listed the available freshly-made ingredients and asked which I’d like as my wheat tortilla was sent down the counter on what looked like a plastic painter’s pallet. Instead of dabs of paint it boasted glorious pulled chicken, yellow rice, black beans, a dash of a few different homemade salsas, and guacamole. Since I’d eaten at The Burrito Place just two nights prior, I could just about taste all these flavors as I watched them prepare my personalized burrito.

All salads and burritos—“build your own” and “no brainers”—won’t empty your wallet for just $6.95 each. Follow the step-by-step instructions on the blackboards for “build your own,” starting with your choice of tortilla, then meat, then rice, and so on. Free add-ons include homemade tomato, corn, or red pepper salsa; sautéed onions or peppers; sour cream, and cilantro. You can get a large dollop of guacamole for just a dollar more.

The “no brianer” burritos include The Burrito2536 with linguica, pork, rice, beans, and cheese; Buffalo Chicken; The Golden Gate with rice, beans, avocado, sprouts, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream; and many more. Taco shells and salad bowl shells are freshly made right there and filled with whichever fixin’s you choose. For kids, quesadillas are offered for $4.95, hot dogs for $2.50, and French fries for $2.00.

Fresh guacamole isn’t the only thing green about this new Mexican eatery. The owners only use locally grown greens and suppliers to cut their carbon footprint while supporting the local economy. It also promises fresher produce. All containers are made of corn plastic and every ounce of used oil is converted into bio-diesel.

Open 7 days a week from 11 am to 10 pm, The Burrito Place is certainly a “no brainer.” It’s located at 420 East Falmouth Highway in East Falmouth or call them for take out 508-444-8666.

   Business was bustling on Friday night in Falmouth.

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T G I (Fish Fry) Friday!

A dinner on the cheap that can't be beat!

   The fish dinner with fries and slaw is only $8 at the Elks Lodge' Friday Fish Fry in Eastham.

By Maggie Kulbokas

If a hearty helping of a classic Cape Cod favorite sounds good, head on over to the Friday Night Fish Fry at the Elks Lodge in Eastham. These Outer Cape Elks serve up a delicious and filling hot dinner every Friday night from 5:30pm-7:30pm year-round.

Choose from a fish or chicken dinner both served with French fries and Cole slaw, chicken nuggets served with fries and onion rings or hot dogs--an all time kid favorite.

                       BBQ, Bingo & More!    
The fish fry isn't the lodge's only forte. 

They are also well known for two more American favorites: bingo and cookouts.  Bingo is played every Tuesday year-round. The doors open at 5pm (food & the snack bar are available) and the first game starts at 6:30pm.  The Wednesday Cookouts take place in the summer from the beginning of July through the beginning of September from 5:30pm-7:30pm.  The usual tasty fare is available, from burgers and dogs to steak and scallop rolls plus the standard sides including chowder, fries and onion rings.
 
Check the calendar for special family-friendly events scheduled this summer including the Father's Day Breakfast, BBQs, Pig Roast and Clambake.

Members run a tight ship.  First you buy your ticket and sign in, then you are seated at one of the many tables.  Munch on bread and butter until someone arrives with your chowder followed by your dinner choice. Or if you aren't in the stay and eat mood, get it to go for only .25 more per order!

The fish dinner, only $8, was delicious--light, crispy coating over flaky white fish--not the gray tired old stuff you get in some restaurants. The fries were equally crispy and the Cole slaw was just right--not too creamy or sweet.  A cup of chowder, a mere $2, was the ideal consistency with tender chunks of potato and clam gathered at the bottom of the cup.

Choose soda, beer, wine or a mixed drink at the full bar to complement your meal.  The prices at the bar alone can't be beat!  

The crowd was a nice mix of young and old locals and visitors--families and friends chattering away over a tasty and affordable meal.  It's not fancy--but it doesn't have to be to be good.   

Last Friday was busy but not as packed as it can get in the late spring and summer.  Advice from frequent attendees--go early before the fish runs out!

It's a great way to start the weekend.

The Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge (2572) is located at 10 McKoy Road in North Eastham, just off Route 6, across from the Four Points Sheraton. 508-255-4258.

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Paradise Pizza is aptly named

Owner-chef Joey Cardillo pampers to the recession-minded on Cape Cod

Paradise Pizza is a baseball throw south of Route 28 on School Street in West Dennis across from the Post Office. That's cheerful chef-owner Joey Cardillo in the inset.

Two people can dine Italian for under $20 total and bring home enough for lunch

The cozy interior reminds the writer of the wonderful place Cape Cod abounded with in a simpler time.

The Pasta and homemade meatball was covered with Joey's tomato sauce.

The homemade Lasagna would satisfy a trencherman.

And save even more by printing several of this coupon.

If haute cuisine and a Platinum credit card cost is what you want in a restaurant, you should stop reading about Joey Cardillo's Paradise Pizza right now.

His prices are so low they'll remind you of eating out a decade ago.

Joey and his dad started the restaurant here in 1976 and earned a good reputation for generous portions, the freshest ingredients and their own homemade pizza dough.

For the arithmetic-challenged, that's a third of a century ago.

Several restaurants later (including Joey's Seafood in Yarmouth) and a detour to Boca Raton Florida, Joey heard that his original location was available, and he couldn't resist an encore performance on Olde Cape Cod.

Luckily for us he returned during this recession.

Pizza, Munchies, Grinders, Calzones, Dinnera, Free Pizza

You can get out of here for $6.25 for the plain, 10-inch pizza all the way through Joey's 40 pizza varieties to the humongous 16-inch Paradise Special.

You can even get a pizza free by printing out copies of the coupon on the right or pick up a copy of Best Read Guide and use the coupon in Paradise Pizza's ad.

Last night we ordered the Antipasto shown below. It was more than the two us us could eat for $6.95.

We split two entrees - Joey's deservedly famous homemade meatballs and spaghetti, $7.9.5, and his homemade Lasagna $8.95.

Those photos on the right are 12 inch plates and each weighed a ton!

We will have about half the order tonight at home because there was no way we could finish them at Paradise Pizza.

And the best is yet to come

We didn't realize when we ordered the entrees that Joey bakes fresh very garlicky rolls which come with each dinner order.

The rolls were swimming in the best-ever olive oil/garlic juice, and we were able to eat about half of them. See the photo at the bottom.

I don't want to lead you astray. This is simple pleasures well prepared at bargain prices. If your dinner choices border on the gourmet and fancy, take off your necktie and jacket and relax at Paradise Pizza's 1976 era eating.  Joey's genes originated in Southern Italy, not the north, and this class of cooking is more peasant than proper, with prices to match.

• Paradise Pizza is at 74 School Street, West Dennis.
  (508) 398-977     The Original Joey since 1976.
  
• The website. or the menu.

Below is the giant Antipasto and the incredible Garlic Rolls which come with each dinner entree.

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Where are the Best Fried Clams on Cape Cod?

The quintessential Cape Cod clam dish has a thousand  champions

But where do YOU think they are prepared best?

It's that time of year again when all those eateries which were closed all winter start opening up for our summer visitors and us as well.

My favorite fried clam restaurant is the Marathon on Route 28 in West Dennis, but everyone I know has a different candidate for Cape's Best Fried Clams.

      Click here to take the POLL

• Which restaurant is YOURS?
  
• Big bellies or small?
  
• But Strips are for Manhattan Clam Chowder heretics.
  

My wife used to to prefer Sir Cricket in Orleans which is a take-out. I have a friend who insists that Cooke's across the street is better.

Some places have a thick coating, others a thin one.

Some folks like small bellies, while others ask specifically for big bellies.

Some people slather tartar sauces all over them, others opt for a little lemon juice to savor the essential bivalve.

One of our bloggers has three favorites, Kreme & Kone, Seafood Sam's and Capt. Frosty's.

Some prefer clam strips which are as non-Cape Cod as Manhattan Clam Chowder.

We are interested in our reader's choices, so please add you as a comment below. If you are not yet a registered commenter, it takes one minute and you only have to do it once to comment on anything on CapeCodToday.com.

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Trader Joe's: Check out the chicken on the cheap

Yum, Serenada or Gorgonzola, you choose

By Maggie Kulbokas

I don't much enjoy trips to Trader Joe's in Hyannis.  Before anybody starts hollering, I understand that most folks love the place.  Me, I force myself to go every so often to purchase several gallons of their tasty, premade and inexpensive iced tea. There's just something about the environment and pace of the store that I find irksome.

But I must admit, I made a new delicious discovery and will have to get more used to the place.

Recession means different things to different people, but for most of the people I know, it means belt tightening.  It means going out to eat a little less often or taking advantage of restaurant specials.  It also means finding flavorful meal choices for your own kitchen that won't break the budget. 

Also, whether there's a recession on or not, many of us are pressed for time--working crazy hours and we cherish the little time we have in the evening after a hard day on the job. 

I've found an inexpensive meal, ready in a half hour that tastes like something served to you at one of your favorite restaurants. 

The frozen section at Trader Joe's offers a lot of interesting and varied meal choices for all different tastes and nutritional needs. On our last foray for iced tea, a couple of frozen chicken entrees caught our eye.  We figured the ingredients sounded good as did the per plate cost of less than $4.

First up was the Chicken Serenada.  The box promised, "seasoned cooked chicken breasts with rib meat with a Coco Caribe sauce topped with Poblano Peppers."  We flipped the box over and along with the very simple instructions (30 minutes in an oven preheated to 400 degrees) was the further promise of the tastes of coconut, ginger and pineapple.

After a half hour, the Serenada was spirited out of the oven and laid upon a bed of lightly buttered angel hair.  Pure heaven.  The spiciness of the sauce flavored the pasta perfectly.  The chicken was tender and not at all rubbery as poultry in prepared frozen dinners can often times be and the peppers were crunchy and flavorful.  This quick and easy meal, with virtually no clean up, made it difficult not to lick the plate clean!

Happy with finding a new entree to introduce to the work week repertoire, we eagerly awaited the Chicken Gorgonzola a few nights later. 

I enjoyed the spicy Mexican-Thai flavors of the Serenada, but I just knew the Gorgonzola would be more up my alley--and was it!  The Gorgonzola box read, "fully cooked chicken breasts with rib meat topped with portabella mushrooms, diced tomatoes in a Gorgonzola cheese sauce." And, given the same treatment as the first, 30 minutes in the heat then a date with a plate pasta, the Gorgonzola met if not exceeded the taste of the Serenada.  The cheese sauce was not overpowering and the dish reminded me of a Chicken Bruschetta. 

Two great dishes on the cheap with very little clean up and time slaving away in the kitchen.  Definitely worth an increase in trips to the Trader Joe's in Hyannis.

Both chicken dinners contain two servings.  Trader Joe's is located on Route 132 in Hyannis in the Christmas Tree Plaza.

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Wednesday is fish 'n chips day!

By Maggie Kulbokas

Let's face it, the current economy is quite unnerving. Everybody is pinching pennies and many folks are cutting back on eating out.  But many area restaurants are feeling the pinch too and offering great deals for folks who really need a night out and away from the kitchen.

Early birds, two for ones and coupon savings are a great way to treat yourself to a little something special and support local businesses. After all, we are all in the same boat!

In addition to restaurants, many local markets offer inexpensive, quick and tasty premade meals for working families, couples and singles. 

What would you say to a delicious, inexpensive, take-out dinner?  

Peterson's Fish Market in Yarmouth Port is offering just that.  Every Wednesday, between 11am and 5:30pm, you can call up (or go in) and place an order for fish and chips.  Your meal comes complete with lightly battered fish, spicy french fries, cole slaw, a wedge of lemon and tartar sauce--all for just $6.99!

The fish was tasty and piping-hot and the portion was surprisingly large for the price.  Aside from the taste, the best part was we didn't have to buy the ingredients, schlepp them home, prep the fish, fry the fish and clean up.   In fact, it quite possibly would have cost more if we made it at home!

Peterson's Fish Market is owned and operated by the same folks who own Peterson's Supermarket, right next door. If you are in the mood for something other than fish, the supermarket offers a wide selection of premade meals and soups and deli sandwiches and subs. 

If it's pizza you are pining for, you are in luck. RC's Pizza, located in the food market, dishes up a tasty pizza pie in three sizes, 12", 18" and the huge 25" (just make sure you'll be able to fit it in your car first!). 

If you find yourself in the area or you live close by, make Wednesday Fish 'n Chips night!

Peterson's Supermarket and Fish Market are located at 918 Route 6A in Yarmouth Port.  508-362-2147.  Peterson's is a farm stand, butcher, deli, liquor store, coffee shop and bakery all in one.  The staff is pleasant and helpful and the prices are comparable to those of larger supermarkets.

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