So yummy and worth the inevitable wait. But the service is pretty mediocre. Biggest downside was the odd bathroom situated down a steep staircase through the dirty kitchen and amongst the dirty unorganized basement clutter. But the food was amazing - we adored the corn beef hash and pancakes with strawberries. Skip the coffee - very subpar tasting for $3. read more

Mass Ave Diner - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Clean and cute, with spectacularly dry food. Omelette was cooked solid with an actual brown crust on the outside. Toast was burned but the black stuff had been mostly scraped off so it didn't look too bad, it just tasted burnt. Home fries were dry and dehydrated. read more

The staff here are so nice and they remembered me after only coming here two times. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all amazing. For breakfast I recommend the french toast breakfast sandwich. Sweet AND savory. :) For lunch, any sandwich is amazing. For dinner, I recommend a burger. Mass Ave Diner has the best burgers in Cambridge I believe, and I ALWAYS order a burger read more

Best eggs and bacon ever! The local artwork is nice as well. Super local feel and the freshly squeezed orange juice was AMAZING! Definitely would return if in the area again! read more

You's po? You's make your way over here. You's don;t want to talk to anybody while getting some homey foods from the hours of 11:30AM-4 or 5PM? You's grab your reading material and sit here. 1 bus right infront or Redline to Centra.... wait let's be real.. only the neighborhood peoples treck on over here like it's their job. Mushroom omelette with wheat toast, I hug you. Quicktime symbol's blue colored walls and flat yellow walls you're pretty too. read more

Ever since I moved to Cambridge I have been looking for the local greasy-spoon. A place that isn't fancy, but serves decent food (mostly brunch) very cheap. This restaurant seems to be it, and it was right in front of me all along, but I never thought to give it a try. The decor is very simple. The food is very cheap. The people are friendly. If I could request anything it would be that they kept the dining area a little bit cleaner. This is probably whats keeping this from being a 5 star review. To sum it all up the bang for the buck here is the biggest selling point, and thats really not a bad selling point. read more

This is the worst breakfast experience I've ever had. Food all tasted like nothing. Everything was bland with no flavor. Our server was the worst. She messed up both orders and loudly stated to cook that we ordered wrong literally 3 feet from me. Ma'am I can't have wheat I promise you I did not order a wheat bagel. Don't put the onus of your mistakes on the customer in front of them at least. The orange juice was good. That's it read more

I'm from NJ, so don't call yourself a diner if you're not open 24 hours and you serve me microwaved bacon (a true travesty I tell ya). The food was alright, but then again it's hard to mess up eggs and home fries. Update: The owner messaged me and assured me the bacon was not microwaved. Also, the issue with the hours is due to zoning regulations, so I apologized for that. Will definitely be going back because it's not often you're reached out to on that level. Thanks! read more

The optimist: Fluffy pancakes. Easy on the wallet. Conveniently located near the T in Central Sq and right off the #1 bus. The pessimist: No free coffee refills. Your pancake order may take a full hour to arrive at your table. Also, I am convinced that the grill cook has no idea what eggs "over medium" actually means. And why the hell are they always sold out of orange juice, a breakfast beverage staple? The realist: I'd go again for (only) the pancakes if I was in a very patient state of mind. read more

Best greasy spoon in Cambridge, hands down. My reason: grease. I'm fairly certain that they actually fry the silverware and flatware here in addition to the food. The food here is dirt cheap. The service is atrocious. The decor is substandard...epicly green tablecloths. What I'm trying to say is that this place is great and everything one could possibly ask for in a diner. read more

I used to come here with a friend of mine and tuck into the jalapeno-bombed Mexican Omelette, an item that was always on the 'daily specials' whiteboard. Sadly, new management has taken this delectable item off the menu (oh noez), ostensibly to add another el-lame-o choc chip pancake/french toast/crumpets type dish. Wait staff is cool, keeping our coffee mugs full while mourning the loss of the best item this place used to serve. The rest of the items are decent, and are less than $7 or so. Sundays can get a little crowded (small seating area), but my friend and I would wait for the mehicano. Now? Maybe not. read more

Mass Ave Diner is my go-to place in Cambridge for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Don't go to Zoe's. Just don't. Zoe's sucks. For breakfast, nothing beats the cheap breakfast sandwich. Two eggs on this sandwich! It's hella filling. But I don't stop there-- get the french toast or pancakes too. The price is right, so why not? I'd say my favorite menu item for lunch is their steak and cheese sub. Get it with onion rings! read more

Amazing little hole in the wall diner. But I miss Lisa, who was the only waitress for many, many years and suddenly disappeared off the face of the planet. I've never had their dinners. I always go for brunch. But their pancakes are some of the best in Boston, generously sized. Everything is fresh and delicious. No credit cards, but you hardly need them because everything is so cheap. (If you have no cash, there is an ATM in the grocery store about 2 doors down) read more

Great food, but the service was bad enough to leave a bad taste in my mouth. * Place wasn't particularly busy, but it took them 10 minutes to take our order. * My brother and I both ordered the Epic Mexican Omelette, but my brother's came with salsa on top and mine didn't. When I asked for salsa, they told me it'd be a dollar extra. I had to remind them that this was not the case. * My toast came out unbuttered. * Server half-filled my brothers coffee cup from the very bottom of the pot; said he'd come again later to fill his cup the rest of the way, but never did. The omelette was totally delicious. The homefries were quite bland. The coffee was normal diner coffee. read more

I've been here three separate times now, and I have to say, I don't get the appeal. During the three times I've been there, I've gone through the following: My eggs have been burnt, cooked another way than I asked, or half-raw. Juice and drinks have come after we've called for the bill. No matter what I say about what I want on the side, none of it appears after being asked. What I get on the side varies from somewhat wrong (toast, but different kind of bread) to really wrong (potatoes when I asked for toast.) The service is beyond surly, it's also sloppy. I don't know what the deal is here. It *is* very cheap, of course. Every time I've gone, the breakfast counter has been filled. So clearly it's got its clientele, and people must like it, or *I*'d be able to sit at the breakfast counter and see what it's like when I'm not relying on a waitress. But I have little motivation to find out at this point. read more

I love Brunch... especially when I don't have to make it to Brunch Last Call, which is usually around 2pm at most brunchstablishments. Mass Ave Restaurant serves breakfast all day, which allows for a hungover 3pm Brunch, which makes for a very happy Scotty. The menu is loaded with cheap dining options. Add three giant pancakes for just a couple bucks, and you have the perfect brunch combo. The hash is exactly what I expect when eating corned beef hash, which has proven to be hard to find in the area. Mass Ave [restaurant] is nothing fancy... so don't expect bells and whistles (if that's what you want, then you'll have to bring your own.) Totally filling meal for two = under $25, including tip. The service -- eh, good enough... but the overall experience definitely warrants 4 stars. read more

Overall, the food we ordered was standard diner fare (2 stars at this point). The fresh OJ was deliciously pulp-y but overly sweet for me. The stand out dish in my opinion was the pancakes (we got them with blueberries), which had lightly crisp outsides and a fluffy texture. read more

If you make it past the supremely uninspired name and into this cozy little diner, you'll find great food for great prices. The $6 omelets are huge and come with the most delicious cheesy-potatoes. I could barely finish the whole thing, but I couldn't stop eating it, it was soo good. This place says that it's Mexican food, but they have a full page of standard breakfast diner fare (with a little Mexican flair, like the cheesy potatoes) in addition to their full page of more "standard" Mexican lunch/dinner options. read more

Make no mistakes, you're not coming here for "brunch" or trying to impress anyone. Breakfast food is supposed to be fattening and greasy. It should be served by a waitresses with sass that ignores you half the time. She might even call you Hun. The food should be quick and cheap. Mass Ave Restaurant is no frills. You order an omelet you get an omelet. It smells like oil and bacon and I love it! This is one of the rare gems lost between the foofy breakfast/brunch spots in Harvard and Central. I'm a weekend visitor and enjoy sitting at the counter reading my book, sipping my coffee, and enjoying a hearty sausage omelet. Sit alone and you may be coaxed into conversation with one of the regulars. Dining can be tough for groups. There are only a handful of tables and you can't sit more than a group of four. This diner is Cambridge, and you find yourself between grad students and plumbers alike. Admittedly, the service isn't spectacular and the food doesn't break ground but it's consistently good, affordable, I never leave hungry and I always enjoy the visit. read more

I love their refried beans!! This is a great place for brunch though be warned if you're trying to be healthy this isn't a great place since everything is in buttery goodness. I've eaten their omelletes and pancakes as well as the shrimp quesadilla. The portions are plentiful and cheap to boot. Don't be put off by the meager diner decor as everything else makes up for it. Service is quick and friendly. I've never left hungry and at the end of each meal I'd like to just hug someone because the food has made me feel that good. read more

Food was okay. Wait for ordering and food seemed like an eternity. Ate outside. Even though there was a wood fence a street sweeper threw debris into our water. Inside looked ok. Definitely a dive which I am not against necessarily. read more

A decent diner. If you want eggs and French toast, this is the place to go. There was one time I received horrible service -- it was so bad that it was worth knocking off a star. Watch out -- this place will be busy during weekend mornings. Be prepared. read more

Great fresh coffee and very tasty brunch. If you like jalapeño, ranchero sauce and eggs, go for the epic Mexican omelette. read more

Mass Ave Diner - Epic Mexican omelette - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Wow, you just can't go wrong with this place. The food is plentiful and cheap, they are willing to accommodate special requests with a big smile and a 'yeah sure'. Their cilantro chicken is OUT OF THIS WORLD and their bfasts are grrrrreeeeat. Sure the decor leaves something to be desired (I love the old french/Italian random pictures on the walls), but honestly the people,food and service are so great I can't complain. read more

A little tiny hole in the wall with crappy service and cheap food. If I had a hangover, I would be in heaven. My friend and I were in on 4th of July, got there at 9:30ish and didn't leave until noonish. I had french toast with some corned beef hash. The hash was from a can, rolled up like a burrito (which was a-ok by me, I wasn't expecting the moon) and the french toast was okay. What I loved about the place is there was no pressure to leave. I mean, they had every right to stand next to our table, clearing it off until they were wiping down the table - but they didn't. The people were friendly, the cooks were coming out and talking to the regulars at the counter and the sweet waitress continually filled my cup with coffee. It's alright for a chat on a lazy Sunday morning. read more

I like this place for breakfast. I love to see my food being made like two feet away from me. It's also a good place to stop in in the summer and get a cup of iced coffee and a bagel. I like the girl who works there - she is really nice, as is the rest of the staff. They make a mean breakfast. I don't care if the coffee is practically water, that isn't why I go there... It's for the greasy eggs that are cooked JUST how I like them and toast, ecc. So good. Pretty cheap too... I'm just sayin'... I like it. read more

I ate here on recently after a long time of walking by it, and suffice to say, it's rather unimpressive, despite my roommate's raving about it. The food is typical griddle stuff. No more, no less, and it's pretty hard to screw up pancakes, so yay for that, I suppose. The bacon and pancakes were acceptable, and the coffee didn't make me wretch, which is why this place manages to even come close to passable... Anyways, that leads me to my next subject.... The service here is wretched. My girlfriend and I were the only people there, and they couldn't figure out who was getting what order, no water refills, no coffee refills, and I had to flag someone down to pay for the food at the register, rather than actually pay at the table. I'm all for homey feeling, but even IHOP an Hardee's have their shit more together than this place. Ywo stars now updated that I've been to places like Renee's, Zoe's, etc... It's cheap, but other than that, go to Zoe's for the same food (and REAL maple syrup with your pancakes), a little more money, but actual service that makes you want to come back. The service is that bad. read more

The Mass Ave Restaurant is a nice little neighborhood luncheonette-style restaurant -- 6 or 7 tables in the front, a 10 seat counter in the back facing the griddle and grill -- and its something you'd think there would be more of in Cambridge. As a result of the dearth of such eateries, breakfasts on weekend mornings are crowded, but worth a few minutes wait. The pancakes are quite tasty, and can come as part of a breakfast plate with eggs and meat for a very bargain price. Service is friendly, but you'll get your food in the order it comes off the griddle -- this isn't neccesarily a bad thing in terms of freshness, but can leave one person looking at a steaming plate of scambled eggs and home fries, while someone else at the table is still sipping coffee waiting for pancakes. I've stopped in for lunch once or twice now, and the subs & sandwiches are adequate but nothing exciting. I would probably order breakfast at lunchtime. I've never gotten around to trying the Mexican portion of the menu -- they tried staying open late for dinner a year or so ago, but couldn't build a following, now they close at 6 pm every day. I think this place really deserves 3.5 stars -- 2 for lunch/early dinner, but 4 for being the kind of place you always want to roll out of bed for on a saturday morning. read more

Awesome neighborhood cheap breakfast/lunch eatery!! I love the atmosphere there, always lively, and the big counter where you can eat facing the kitchen. They have two separate menus: American breakfast/lunch/sandwich/and-what-not, and Mexican. Everything is REALLY filling so it's good to have a big hunger before stepping in:) Their eggs come with home-style fried potatoes (*not* French fries) that are pretty tasty. But I like the eggs at Brookline Lunch way better. The Mexican stuff is just OK. Best items I've had so far: blueberry pancakes (really fluffy) (but too bad the syrup is not maple) and *grilled* corn muffins. Yes, grilled muffins, cut in two and caramelized to perfection. Yum yum yum. It's better if you're not in a hurry because it can take a little long, even for a simple egg-and-cheese sandwich. read more

Loved their pancakes. My eggs were cooked just right -- I am not of fan of the runny scrambled egg. My meal was cooked fast, the people were nice, my orange juice was fresh ... all in all it was a great meal. I can see myself returning when I have a craving for breakfast in the morning & I don't want to cook myself. read more

Mass Ave Diner - Pancakes, ham, & 2 scrambled eggs - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Their sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich saved my life this morning when I was too hungover to leave my couch, since they deliver to your door. The ratio of cheese to egg to meat to English muffin was post debaucherous-perfection. Minus one star for standard corned beef hash. It could have been the ultimate party in my mouth, but instead it was the food equivalent of having a few people hanging out in a circle, checking their iPhones. Please up your hash game, Mass Ave Diner. read more

I used to live around the corner from this place and can say with certainty that it is one of the best diners in Boston (and surrounding areas). Mass Ave Restaurant has become famous for its breakfast. I'm a stickler for pancakes, so I can speak to the pancake crowd. The pancakes are huge, buttery, and fluffy. They are distinct from your typical diner pancake, and I can assure you that no other diner in the area can match them. And of course I must mention the prices! For $6 you can have two huge pancakes, two eggs, potatoes, and sausage links or patties. Its so much food they have to bring it to you on two plates! This is definitely your local hole-in-the-wall diner. On Summer mornings, expect a line. Too many people can't resist. However, the line always tends to move much more quickly then one can account for. If you are going with a big group, I would not recommend this place. Even if you can get a seat, you will be taking up the whole restaurant. Service is definitely friendly. The same servers have been there for years and have gotten to know their customers. The only downside to service is that once you are served, they tend to never come back. Its hard to get refills on coffee. Usually we just walk the three steps up to the counter and make our requests or flag them down from our seat. Little Known Secret: Mass Ave Restaurant is a Mexican restaurant but the breakfast is purely American. It used to be open for dinner, but people flooded in only for breakfast so they now are only open through lunch. However, the Mexican dishes are real, delicious, and authentic. read more

If you're thinking about going to Zoe's, don't. Get off the #1 at Hancock Street and come here instead. If you can get a table, that is. It's odd to say that the best Mexican I've had in the Boston area came at an American style diner, but it's true. Been meaning to try the mole chicken. Maybe if I get to move back to Mid Cambridge. Aw, man, I miss it! read more

We ordered French Toast ($8 for two slices) and a Turkey Club, a little pricey. Owner was a little frenetic getting customers situated at their seats and tables and they ran out Iced Coffee and cups (lolz). Overall the food was good and once we were settled had a good meal. read more

Food was mediocre, service was poor. I got the omelette with toast and home fries, and the best part was the toast... omelette was flavorless and kind of rubbery, and the home fries were bland and not adequately fried (but I like them greasy). I wouldn't come back. read more

The service was atrocious. Sat down, ordered food and coffee. 15 mins later, still no coffee until staff was reminded. 45 mins later one meal comes out, huevos rancheros so not overly complicated. Other meal nowhere to be seen, not in queue and just not listed at all. Finally asked staff, had no idea what it was I even ordered. Eventually get omelette which was mediocre at best. Maybe an off day? Good things: potatoes and free coffee for really bad service. read more

This place really grows on you. I live near by and sneered at for years. And finally I started going, and going.. and now I am hooked. They don't have much, but that is actually a good thing. With a small kitchen like that I would be scared by a bigger menu. Just stick to the eggs and bacon--which are surprisingly good--and you will be satisfied. And for 2 eggs and bacon for under $5, even better. Super nice staff as well. No reason to go to gussied up zoe's down the street for twice the price. Kind of sad how atomic bean next door looks so nice inside, but can't nearly satisfy the soul like mass ave restaurant. read more

Friendly waitress, Lot of food in one order. Cheap! Tastes good. Fast Service. Another happy day starts here! read more

Huevos rancheros which keep my snobby Austin-"mexican-food-expert" friend from complaining? Worth 4 stars on its own. Love this place for a quick hangover breakfast on the weekends. The waitresses are super friendly, and the prices are incredibly cheap for what you get. Check out their mexican food specials, they are seriously awesome though they might seem out of place. read more

It's a diner. They sling some hash, cook omlettes, make grilled cheese. It isn't anything special that you haven't seen before. But these guys do it well, and they do it cheap. Boston needs more greasy spoons like this. read more