Mexican$brooklineDaily 07:00-23:00
Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street has run the city's fast-Mexican benchmark in Brookline near Coolidge Corner in Boston since 1995. Priced at $.
Signature: Super burrito, Carnitas tacos
Order: Super burrito with carnitas, rice, beans, salsa and guacamole.
Tip: Order the super burrito and split it with a friend. The line at noon moves in five minutes.
American$$brooklineWed-Fri 10:30-15:00, Sat 09:00-15:00, closed Sun-Tue
Cutty's on Washington Street in Brookline has run the area's best sandwich counter in Boston since 2010. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans american.
Signature: Roast beef 1000, Spuckie sub
Order: Roast Beef 1000: thin-shaved roast beef, sharp cheddar, Russian dressing, onion.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.
Chinese$south-endWed-Thu 16:00-20:00, Fri 12:00-20:00, Sat 11:00-20:00
Irene Li's Mei Mei Dumplings runs the dumpling factory and cafe in South Boston since 2012. Order the lemongrass pork dumplings, the signature filling.
Signature: Lemongrass pork dumplings, Curried sweet potato dumplings
Order: Lemongrass pork dumplings, the signature filling.
Tip: Dumpling-making classes run on weekends from the storefront kitchen. Book on the website.
Vietnamese$dorchesterDaily 06:00-18:00
Jennifer Nguyen has rolled banh mi at Ba Le on Dorchester Avenue in Boston since 1996. Boston Legacy Business Award 2025, baguette baked fresh daily.
Signature: BBQ pork banh mi, Bun bo Hue
Order: BBQ pork banh mi, classic combination, $7 sandwich.
Tip: Cash and card both. The pho is the under-ordered dish; ask for the bun bo Hue if it is on the chalkboard.
Vietnamese$dorchesterSun-Thu 10:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-22:00
Pho Hoa on Dorchester Avenue has poured beef pho in Boston's Vietnamese corridor since 1992. Boston Magazine Best Neighborhood Restaurant 2022.
Signature: Pho dac biet, Bun bo Hue
Order: Pho dac biet, the all-cuts beef pho with rare steak, brisket, tendon and tripe.
Tip: Lunch is the easy seat; 13:00 the room thins. Cash speeds the bill; the menu runs 18 pho varieties.
Chinese$$chinatownDaily 11:00-02:00
Dumpling Cafe on Washington Street has rolled Taiwanese soup dumplings in Boston's Chinatown since 2009. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans chinese.
Signature: Mini juicy buns, Beef pancake roll
Order: The mini juicy buns: pork-and-broth xiao long bao, eight per basket.
Tip: Open until 02:00 weekends. The beef pancake roll is the under-ordered dish; order both.