Question for Mass/NH guys, need restaurant off 93.

[Hoophound]

Flying into Boston tomorrow and heading to VT on our annual anniversary trip. My wife wants to get a nice dinner somewhere between Boston and the I-89 junction. I don’t want get stuck in Boston traffic so eating in Boston isn’t an option this trip (we land at 3pm).

Any suggestions for a place along our way that’s very good and just off the interstate? Her first choice is steak/seafood. Second choice would be a good Mexican place. Not a taqueria, but a nice, big, clean TexMex place that always delivers. Italian is always a good option, but only if you’ve got a great reco because we are having Italian on Friday.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[HooperScooper]

Wish I could help you but I don't know that area very well. Andover, MA is a very nice town so I'm sure there are good restaurants there. But it's not right off I-93. Maybe try something in Londonderry or Derry, NH. I don't know anything in Manchester, NH but that's a rough area so not sure there's anything good there.

I hate to tell you but you're going to hit traffic even landing at 3:00 assuming you need to get your luggage and rent a car. Traffic at 4:00 is even worse than 5:30 or 6:00. That's at least my experience going west on the Mass. Pike.

 

[auror]

Flying into Boston tomorrow and heading to VT on our annual anniversary trip. My wife wants to get a nice dinner somewhere between Boston and the I-89 junction. I don’t want get stuck in Boston traffic so eating in Boston isn’t an option this trip (we land at 3pm).

Any suggestions for a place along our way that’s very good and just off the interstate? Her first choice is steak/seafood. Second choice would be a good Mexican place. Not a taqueria, but a nice, big, clean TexMex place that always delivers. Italian is always a good option, but only if you’ve got a great reco because we are having Italian on Friday.

Thanks for any suggestions.

By the time you get your bag and car, you're definitely going to be in Boston traffic on 93, I hate to break it to you. Starts at like 2:30. You'll probably hit some again near Manchester, depending on how long dinner goes I guess.

That's my neck of the woods so I'll noodle on some thoughts for restaurants.

 

[Mr. French]

I'm sure many will agree, but there's a totally awesome McDonald's with the playplace built in right off 93. Get the Large Fries, it never disappoints.

 

[auror]

One issue: a lot of these restaurants don't open until 4pm or 5pm. Check for yourself, but if you land AT 3 then the 4pm ones shouldn't be a problem. The 93 corridor isn't the best for restaurants, a lot of the better ones are more on the coast or closer to Boston. Lots of chains near the highway. I wouldn't really recommend Tex-Mex in Boston area. Steak and seafood is classic, though.

NH restauranteur Michael Timothy has a restaurant called Surf that has a location in Woburn. Seems like a good option for you if you want to get out to the burbs quickly and then stop. There's a place called Baldwin Bar also in Woburn, which I like a lot but doesn't fall into your categories. It's like upscale szechuan Asian with tiki drinks, hard to describe but good.

After going a bit north, you can zip down 95 to Burlington, MA and there are a bunch of options (and then take RT 3 to meet back up with 93, doesn't cost you that much time and traffic isn't usually that bad on 95 heading that direction compared to other directions, though Rt 3 will be bad depending on time after dinner). A lot of these are like small or upscale chains. Row 34, Eddie V's, Black and Blue. I assume there's a Legal Sea Foods there. Row 34 is a personal favorite because their food is good and their beer selection is top notch.

If you want to go a bit further and don't want the 95 to RT 3 detour, Copper Door in Salem, NH could be a good spot for you, just over the line into NH. Steak and seafood.

Other smaller options a short drive off 93 in the near Boston burbs...
Tonno in Wakefield is Seafood/italian, which seems to be up your alley. Turner's in Melrose is a bit further off 93, but it's a good local institution for Seafood.

If you really wanted Tex Mex, there's La Carreta. Small local chain, has a location near 93 in Londonderry, NH.

 

[HooperScooper]

After going a bit north, you can zip down 95 to Burlington, MA and there are a bunch of options (and then take RT 3 to meet back up with 93, doesn't cost you that much time and traffic isn't usually that bad on 95 heading that direction compared to other directions, though Rt 3 will be bad depending on time after dinner). A lot of these are like small or upscale chains. Row 34, Eddie V's, Black and Blue. I assume there's a Legal Sea Foods there. Row 34 is a personal favorite because their food is good and their beer selection is top notch.

That's a good recommendation. Burlington probably has better food options than anything else off I-93. You're right getting off I-93 and going south on I-95 to Burlington isn't far and much out of the way, although that stretch of 95 during rush hour sucks. Row 34 is originally from Portsmouth, NH and there's one in the Seaport in Boston too. Very good seafood. I've been to Black and Blue in Burlington. Pretty good steak and seafood.

 

[buckley503]

If Burlington is an option, upscale Brazilian steakhouse in the Burlington mall but 95/93 intersection won't be fun at that time.

 

[Hoophound]

One issue: a lot of these restaurants don't open until 4pm or 5pm. Check for yourself, but if you land AT 3 then the 4pm ones shouldn't be a problem. The 93 corridor isn't the best for restaurants, a lot of the better ones are more on the coast or closer to Boston. Lots of chains near the highway. I wouldn't really recommend Tex-Mex in Boston area. Steak and seafood is classic, though.

NH restauranteur Michael Timothy has a restaurant called Surf that has a location in Woburn. Seems like a good option for you if you want to get out to the burbs quickly and then stop. There's a place called Baldwin Bar also in Woburn, which I like a lot but doesn't fall into your categories. It's like upscale szechuan Asian with tiki drinks, hard to describe but good.

After going a bit north, you can zip down 95 to Burlington, MA and there are a bunch of options (and then take RT 3 to meet back up with 93, doesn't cost you that much time and traffic isn't usually that bad on 95 heading that direction compared to other directions, though Rt 3 will be bad depending on time after dinner). A lot of these are like small or upscale chains. Row 34, Eddie V's, Black and Blue. I assume there's a Legal Sea Foods there. Row 34 is a personal favorite because their food is good and their beer selection is top notch.

If you want to go a bit further and don't want the 95 to RT 3 detour, Copper Door in Salem, NH could be a good spot for you, just over the line into NH. Steak and seafood.

Other smaller options a short drive off 93 in the near Boston burbs...
Tonno in Wakefield is Seafood/italian, which seems to be up your alley. Turner's in Melrose is a bit further off 93, but it's a good local institution for Seafood.

If you really wanted Tex Mex, there's La Carreta. Small local chain, has a location near 93 in Londonderry, NH.

We’ve been to Copper Door. It was pretty good and I’d go again. We may do that. I lived in Boston for several years, so I know the drill on traffic etc. I was just hoping to get a couple suggestions for places that wouldnt take us out of our way. It’s gonna be a long day, so wasting time with detours isn’t appealing. I was hoping to escape ahead of the worst traffic, but it isn’t going to happen now. Our flight is now arriving 45 minutes later. Given that, if anyone has a suggestion that’s very close to Logan, I’d love to hear it.

 

[Ricker]

Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub is about 2 easy miles from the Bow 89 intersection
Its a place that also has many large functions, fireplaces, etc not just a pub

 

[HuskyHawk]

Flying into Boston tomorrow and heading to VT on our annual anniversary trip. My wife wants to get a nice dinner somewhere between Boston and the I-89 junction. I don’t want get stuck in Boston traffic so eating in Boston isn’t an option this trip (we land at 3pm).

Any suggestions for a place along our way that’s very good and just off the interstate? Her first choice is steak/seafood. Second choice would be a good Mexican place. Not a taqueria, but a nice, big, clean TexMex place that always delivers. Italian is always a good option, but only if you’ve got a great reco because we are having Italian on Friday.

Thanks for any suggestions.

As someone who drove to VT many times a year, for years, the space between Concord and Lebanon is a wasteland. There's just not much there. I think we went to Flying Goose once, near New London. But I don't remember it. We usually stopped in West Lebanon. There's a brewery there that has new owners, Bright Side Brewing now, used to be 7 Barrel. There are more options there as well.

Edit: I read this wrong. Was thinking between I-89 and I-91. Nashua is loaded with options if you go that route. My only suggestion is to get as far north as you can, as fast as you can. I wouldn't stop south of Derry.

 

[auror]

I was hoping to escape ahead of the worst traffic, but it isn’t going to happen now. Our flight is now arriving 45 minutes later. Given that, if anyone has a suggestion that’s very close to Logan, I’d love to hear it.

There's so much Italian around that area. And some more casual latin american fare.

Maybe La Siesta in Winthrop for Tex Mex?

Or ReelHouse, MIDA (maybe a little too Italian, but good views), or Cunard Tavern in Eastie.

 

[gsmooth]

If Burlington is an option, upscale Brazilian steakhouse in the Burlington mall but 95/93 intersection won't be fun at that time.

I know that restaurant, Fogo de Chau. Burlington is only a few miles away from Woburn where the 95/93 intersection is. He will be hitting the worst traffic time for sure at that time after he leaves Logan Airport. I work in Burlington, I know this first hand. I usually leave the office at 6:30 pm or later because of this, that is of course when I actually do go in the office instead of working from home.

@ Hoophound - sorry to echo what the others have said who live near Boston, but if you are arriving at Logan Airport at 3 pm, there is no way you are going to avoid traffic. In fact you will be hitting peak traffic shortly after you get on the road.

 

[UConnJim]

You will hit major traffic from Boston to the NH border as I have done that drive many times. My guess is if you land at 3 PM, you will probably hit the road about 4 PM which will be peak traffic. I'll recommend 3 places right off the highway that I have eaten at and you probably won't need reservations:

1) Common Man Restaurant in Windham, NH. Right off exit 3 in New Hampshire. Part of a local chain, but each restaurant is run somewhat differently and the service and food is good. Time wise, it will be half way to Vermont.

2) Flying Goose Brew Pub, New London, NH. Exit 11 off the of I-89. More of a pub.

3) Jessie's Steakhouse, Hanover, NH. Exit 18 off of I-89. Good steakhouse near Dartmouth College near the VT border.

 

[Hoophound]

Arriving really late now. Probably going to stay at Battery Wharf and just head over to Hanover St. Awful travel day.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Arriving really late now. Probably going to stay at Battery Wharf and just head over to Hanover St. Awful travel day.

Bummer, but maybe it becomes a nice romantic hotel stay and dinner.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

• Common Man in Windham is solid, but won't knock your socks off.. (It's literally 2 miles from my house). Been there many times.
• Copper Door (Salem) is very good, with a better menu and somewhat pricier than Common Man.
• If price/time aren't limiting then Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester (otherwise known as Manch Vegas) is outstanding for steak, etc. There are other good restaurants downtown on Elm.
• There's a very good hole in the wall Italian restaurant in Salem - Trattoria Amalfi
• There's Andiamo in Andover MA, which is also right off 93. Very good food.
• And if you want to try a new place that's also very good, Figaro's in Windham is worth a look.