Good lunch spot if you're looking for a quick sandwich or salad. Easy and fast. Friendly staff.

Great little cafe with simple menu but all goodies. Close to Science Museum we stopped here and got 2 egg, ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches on plain bagel even though they had many options for bread. The service was friendly and super fast. read more

I was so surprised...this place looks so modest from the outside but is a warm and vibrant refuge. I went for breakfast this morning... the omelette and breakfast sandwich were delicious and for the price of each meal ($4 for the omelette, $5 for the sandwich) I was shocked at the quality of ingredients (fresh spinach, bakery style bread) and the yummy meal... The interior is cozy and a deligthful yellow. They are really sweet behind the counter. Just stopping by helped me get my day started off on the right foot! If only they were opened on weekends... read more

I've been working near the Galleria for a few months now and had yet to go to the notorious 2nd Street Cafe. Sick of eating soup from Au Bon Pain, I decided to check out the online menu and took a walk over to 2nd Street to try the spicy red bean special soup. I ended up ordering a small soup and half of the grilled chicken, pesto and mozzarella sandwich. My lunch was really great and everything tasted so fresh. I REALLY wanted the roasted veggie wrap but they don't do halves of wraps :( Still, I was very happy with my order and was thrilled to get away from the mall. The staff was very friendly and the cafe was adorable! I definitely want to eat in there next time. The only downside is that they don't take credit/debit cards. Luckily there's a Bank of America right next to my office :) Can't wait to go back and try something else! read more

A local favorite they are quick and quirky but with seriously solid food. A charming sandwich spot. They are a cash only establishment, unless you have LevelUP. They do have an ATM on site, if you're willing to cough up the exorbitant fee or if you have a bank that takes care of that for you. They get packed when the offices around the area empty for lunch but I managed to grab some grub and a seat. Had half a Chicken melt on sourdough combo with a cup of soup for 8.99. I swear I looked at the order that came out and said to my dining companion 'THAT'S half a sandwich?!?.' Very generous portions, always a huge plus. The vegetable mushroom barley soup tasted homemade and had the perfect small spicy kick. Check them out, your wallet will thank you and so will your belly. Overall you won't be disappointed read more

Stumbled upon here while taking a stroll in Cambridge. My boyfriend and I haven't stopped talking about this place since. The duo that runs this cafe were upbeat and kind, the food was piping hot and fresh. I got the Anthony's favorite - any sandwich that uses cream cheese as standard is a win, please try it. The bread was pillowy and fresh. My boyfriend got the breakfast wrap and couldn't even dent it. Filled to the brim with potatoes, eggs, and cheese. We're from Jersey so we can't go everyday but someone reading this can. read more

After trying out this cafe a few times for breakfast, I have to say that I was really disappointed. The Everything bagel was really old and definitely had been sitting out of a plastic bag for days. It did not taste fresh for $4. The bacon, egg and cheese was better but for $6 I would def not get it again. It tasted bland (no salt/pepper). The pros: -the location and the fact that there isn't any other place really near by for grabbing a quick bite. The cons: -they don't accept credit cards. Gotta use cash or some app called "Level up". - pricy for breakfast. - not the best tasting. I would love to support local businesses but for a place and price like this, I would recommend Tatte cafe over this place. read more

Stopped by for the Vegetarian Sandwich which has; hummus, avocado, feta, sprouts, red onions, mixed greens and tomatoes. Very fresh and delicious. The only real downside is the uncomfortable bar seating and lack of parking. read more

2nd Street Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

As William Blake said, "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite." Behind that door is a nice group of folk in a hip place that makes great sandwiches. My favorite is a Tuna Salad, a bag of chips, and a can of coke. Thumbs up! read more

Working in the area and stopped in. The people are friendly and very kind. Got a bowl of soup, it was fresh and nice and hot. The owner was working and welcomed me as she did her regulars. I now stop in every day and enjoy the fresh food and hot coffee. read more

A friend recommended this place when he heard we were coming to Boston. If you are expecting a high class joint- look elsewhere. This place is about food. And service. We came at an off time. After breakfast and before lunch. The owner spent a good deal of time answering all my husbands questions. We learned about level up. Be sure to bring CASH or have a level up card. We really enjoyed our food. I was sorry they weren't open on the weekend or we'd have gone back. read more

The chicken pesto sandwich was fresh and delicious. Everything seemed very fresh and came out quickly! I would recommend to anyone.

This place has amazing reviews and was recommended by a friend... big mistake! Was hit on by disguising arrogant man that looked to be a manager or owner. Food was handled by hand behind the counter which didn't looked to be cleaned in a week with no gloves and no one washing between orders. Newly renovated which looked very nice but looks arent everything... not coming back I can tell you that... read more

This spot is low-key amazing. Thought it was sketch initially due to the hilariously few hours they're open and the sign out front suggesting they reserve the right to refuse in-person orders if the place is too busy. But the sandwiches are absolutely delicious (perhaps not as gourmet as Tatte's, tho just as tasty and more sizable); the online ordering/pickup system is fast/easy; and the folks that work there are super friendly and welcoming. What a gem! read more

I've only been here for lunch and think their sandwiches and staff are top notch. Very neighborhood-y sandwich shop, "cafe" is a bit misleading. Cash only, atm inside if you're there and in a pinch. read more

This is totally what you want in your neighborhood. Good sandwiches. The place was made for a rainy day lunch session. I always order the turkey reuben. It's really good. They shut off the grill around 2:30 so order early. Their website is bare bones but changes daily with their specials. Soups, sandwiches etc..They carry Deep River potato chips which are from CT just like me!! I've been meaning to review this place for a while! It's not cheap. But it's so good (also like me). read more

Delicious food, great price, QUICK and friendly service. What more could you want? I work in the areaa and get breakfast here at least once a week. I'm not crazy about their cookies but the cinnamon rolls are great. read more

Well I guess I can do a review now that I no longer work there..I can't be accused of being partial anymore.. right? Here's a few tips/observations: 1) If you check out the website (specials and soups updated daily) and find yourself craving one of the specials, call it in! You're not the only one that wants mac n cheese with grilled chicken and spinach.. or salmon cakes.. or shepherd's pie.. or BBQ pulled pork. Call it in.. and then you can go ahead and skip the line when you get there! 2) Cubanos and the grilled chicken sandwich with pesto, mozzarella, and tomato are probably the most popular.. I really like all the special sandwiches (best chicken salad I've ever had).. although I'd take a reuben on pumpernickel any day. 3)Magical times to get food and avoid the line? Before 12 (lunch starts at 11) and after 1:15-1:30. But beware.. the grill closes at 2:30.. so get those cubano and reuben orders in before then. 4) Taste the soup (like in Coming to America)! I never considered soup to be a meal until I started working there. Grab yourself some bread from the basket and have a some lamb and white bean, caribbean fish chowder, turkey chili, beef stew, or butternut squash etc (like I said, they change daily).. all filling and delicious! 5) CASH ONLYYYYYYY.. the closest ATM is by the mall. 6) If it's not on the menu.. and it's not too crazy.. they'll make it! BLT's, tuna melts (with spinach and tomato = yummy!), grilled cheeses, chicken caesar wraps.. toasting or grilling sandwiches... the staff is always willing to go the extra mile when they can. 7) They do light catering. They have platters for sandwiches and can even do soups. For the most part, the day before would be best... earlier would be even better. No delivery. Hmmm... I really wanted to list 10 things.. but I guess I'll come back to it later! haha read more

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Walking over to 2nd Street for lunch is a real treat to abolish the doldrums of Kendall Square. I wanted one of 2nd Street's cuban sandwiches so bad today that despite the rain, I jumped in the car and jetted over to pick up a phone-in order for myself and a couple others at work. Even w/o the cheese (cow intolerance), slices of warm pork and ham, spicy relish, mayo and bulky bread really hit the spot on a dark, damp inclement day. It was totally worth the ticket that the zero tolerance parking person gave me as I ran toward him, wildly shouting, "No, no, no! I was only here for two minutes to pick up sandwiches!" Evidently, an argument that holds no sway. . . Cuban aside, 2nd Street has lots of other tasty lunch sandwiches, comforting specials, and an erect-it-yourself list of vittles. Service is always remarkably friendly and after a few visits that bookend the busy lunch hour, you might even become a recognized regular! read more

Oh, my, goodness. The Pesto chicken sandwich was amazing. Huge chicken breast, freshly made pesto, om nom nom. I'm getting hungry just thinking about that sandwich! I will say that my friend and I timed coming here just right, because there wasn't much of a line. After we sat down the line got to be HUGE! They do move people quickly through the line, and do bring you your food fast though, so that's a big plus! The food is a little on the more expensive side, but not too expensive, and really, I didn't even mind the price once I took a bite of my sandwich. The inside is small, so if you're planning on grabbing a table, try to time your visit prior to, or after a lunch rush... otherwise you might not be able to sit at a table for a little while. It feels very cozy, however, as opposed to cramped and small. I could see myself coming back here in the future, for sure... just have to find an excuse to be in that area of town. read more

This is a good place to go for a sandwich or salad if you're in East Cambridge. All the meats, veggies, cheeses etc. are extremely fresh, and the service is friendly. It's a little hectic inside, since it's really the only decent place to get lunch in the area. The entrees aren't as good, although they do come with some nice fresh greens. Almost all of them are drowned in a bland, overly creamy "curry" sauce that doesn't really add anything. Definitely better than anything in the Galleria Food Court, but not worth a trip on the T. read more

When you visit 2nd Street Cafe's website, it says, "we have pretty good food." That is a delightful understatement. In fact, I think they have some of the best sandwiches that I've ever had anywhere. The coffee is forgettable, but man, the food. Try the Cuban or the Reuben, or any of their daily specials, and you will understand why there's an incessant stream of people coming through during lunch. It's a favorite among East Cambridge/Kendall Square professionals. The staff are friendly and the service is remarkably quick, especially considering the sheer volume of orders they process. The only downside is the limited seating (only about 5 small tables). It's not a great place to sit down. No wireless and bad cell phone reception. And sometimes they do close shop early. But hey, this isn't Starbucks, it's your neighborhood cafe. read more

My closest friends know the way to my heart is a delicious sandwich. 2nd Street Cafe delivers. Off the beaten path, but easily walkable from Kendall Square, 2nd Street Cafe offers salads, soups, and enormous sandwiches. So far every sandwich I've tried has been delicious. There is not a lot of seating inside the cafe, and what seating exists is not the most comfortable. But since you're probably going to inhale your delicious sandwich pretty quickly, that doesn't matter much. I imagine it will be more of an issue in the winter, when fewer people want to take their sandwich bounty outside. 2nd Street Cafe does not accept credit cards, but they have an ATM inside and also accept LevelUp. read more

This place is a hidden gem. Their food is a little pricey, but it's really worth it. They seem to make everything from scratch and I haven't had anything there that I didn't think was delicious. I just had their grilled veggie wrap the other day and it was amazing. The people who work there are friendly and very knowledgeable. The inside is small but it's intimate and cozy. It is packed at lunch, but I've also been there during the off hours and It would be a nice quiet place to read while you eat your meal. Overall, skip the mall and go there for lunch instead. It costs about the same as the places in the mall and you'll be supporting a local business in the process. read more

Pretty damn impeccable edibles. I'm a glutton for flavor and 2nd St delivers on my dream for complex sandwiches no one in their right mind would know how to ask for. Avocado, mustard and excellent cheeses are bound for your sandwich. If choice is available, go for the sourdough. Perfect bread. One more heads up -- they're cash only unless you use the LevelUp app. Stick to the latter and get some points toward your meal. read more

We accidentally discovered this place while Yelping on the go at the Cambridgeside Galleria. Briefly: -The food is delicious. I had such a craving for a Reuben, and they really delivered. -The sandwiches are really large. As in, no need for a bag of chips on the side. This sandwich will be your meal. -They have that quirky, indie, hipstery, Cambridgey feel that I like (in moderation). The whole restaurant looks like somebody carved out a kitchen, dining room, and living room of a house to turn it into a small sandwich shop. The bottom line is that nobody should ever need to go to the food court in the Galleria (unless they are cashless or it's a weekend). There really is no excuse when you've got places like 2nd Street Cafe around the corner. read more

Obviously a favorite of the working {wo}man and I just have to agree. Tasty, fresh, and fulfilling. Great vegetarian options, too. I will be coming back, probably weekly. The ordering process is a little weird but got to love the plate basket they serve your sandwich in! read more

Walking by the cafe on my way to the gym or the red line made me very curious if this place was even open. Needless to say, I've never been around 7-3 on weekdays to stop by, but coming back to Cambridge at 2 today I knew this was my chance to check it out! I'm a basic sandwich person - just turkey and bread -- so I can't say I have a lot of input on their pre-made sandwiches, but mine was tasty! Everything was fresh - the bread was soft and the meat was very flavorful. They also have nice big cookies! Very cozy atmosphere - only a few tables, and it's bright and cheery! I was psyched to have the chance to check out the second street cafe and also that their food was great! read more

The reuben at this place is so delicious that it has inspired "Reuben Tuesday" at my work. Depending on the circumstances of the week, anywhere from 5-10 of us place our reuben order with our Reuben Tuesday sponsor and await the arrival of that delicious sandwich. I'm a big fan of this place for lunch. The reuben does stand out, but all of the other sandwiches, salads, and entrees I have had here have been fantastic! Super nice staff just adds to the awesomeness of this place. Go here for lunch, soon! If you're up for a reuben, I'll see you on Tuesday! P.S. They now deliver larger orders for lunch! ($45 or more, you have to order the day before.) read more

Love this place! A favorite of mine whenever I can work from home and need an amazing sandwich to boost my spirits. The one issue is that they only accept cash so come prepared for that but wow is it worth it. I think over the past two years I have made my way through the menu and really don't have a favorite but I do like exploring their specials. Do yourself a favor and try this place out! read more

Why I love the 2nd Street Cafe: 1) Servers/ Cooks are awesome, friendly, and remember my order. And helped me out when I was 15c short this morning. 2) Food = Fresh, quick, filling. As a tour guide that leaves hourly from the Galleria with maybe 15 min for a break every few hours, they have always been a great pit stop. Their breakfast sandwich is the best deal in Boston. 3) Their coffee is delicious, hot and bold. 4) They have a small library of cookbooks that are great to flip through. 5) Did I mention their employees are wonderful? With sane hours and proper weekends, no wonder they are helpful and seem happy to be there. All in all, I would move in if I could. read more

This place is right down the street from where I work. It's a great cafe - excellent quality food: specials like salmon and tuna steaks accent a more normal menu with sandwiches, salads and soups. It's not the cheapest, true, but it's excellent quality. Do NOT expect to see any iceberg lettuce, or mass-market fabrique chicken with 'grill marks'! Do expect your turkey sandwich to be fresh and crisped up on the griddle if you want it that way. I've never had anything there that wasn't delicious, and I've gone quite a bit. The friendly and perky staff always brightens my day too! Cheers! read more

Yummy stuff! Second Street always uses fresh ingredients for their day's entrees and soups, so it's always tasty. Their website is updated daily to reflect the daily specials and soups. It's on the pricey side - $4 for a soup and $9 for an entree, but if you like good quality, fresh food, it's worth the price. I always recommend it to people when they're in the neighborhood, and my co-workers and I eat there frequently. Try the Tomato and Roasted Fennel soup with a fresh grilled cheese sandwich... yum! A couple of tips when dealing with this place, though - the sandwiches are average quality, so you're just as well served hitting other restaurants given the pricey nature of this establishment if a sandwich is what you want. There's also hardly any seating, so you should call ahead for your order and plan on getting it to go. read more

As I'm sitting here licking the pesto off my fingers and mentally preparing myself for the second half of this enormous chicken sandwich, I couldn't help but think back on all the good times that 2nd Street Cafe has brought me. Be it the not-so-brief mass exodus from our cubicles down the street for a lunchtime reprieve, an afternoon coffee break on a warm summer day, or an excuse to skip that 10 am meeting in favor of a breakfast sandwich, 2nd Street Cafe is just one of those places you won't soon forget. This is the kind of place the echoes the heart and soul of Cambridge, that small-town community feel less than a mile outside the city. You will always be greeted with a smile, groups of people will be sitting around the tables sharing stories and laughing, and you can watch them prepare your food right behind the counter. There's even a basket of bread-ends next to the cash register that's always fresh and free. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, and the food? I think others have already said it best, but I promise you won't be disappointed. Fresh ingredients, extremely generous portions, and a large variety of options make 2nd Street Cafe the go-to place for any meal. read more

Went here for the first time yesterday for breakfast and came back for lunch. For breakfast I had the Breakfast sandwich. WOW! I've been looking for something like this for breakfast for a while now! Food was ready in literally 3 minutes. They are extremely fast and friendly here For lunch I ordered the Reuben and hot damn was it tasty and huge! I love me a good reuben and they definitely know how to do it right. Although the line got long, they were flying through. One guy ordered and by the time he paid his chicken salad sandwich was done. They make everything right there too. I will be back here many more times to try out more of their sandwiches. After writing this review my taste buds are craving some more. Definitely going there for lunch today. read more

Pretty tasty! This place has traffic that comes in waves... 12pm, 1215pm, 1230pm. It's funny how the lunchtime rush comes and goes. We were able to snag a table which is really a feat since there are only 4 or 5. The staff is super nice and accommodating to each request - I ordered my own sandwich, turkey on wheat, w/ pickles and goat cheese (yeah, pickles and goat cheese, don't knock it till you try it.) Pretty tasty... loved the shaved turkey on it also. A little over budget for a daily lunch spot but once every few weeks ain't bad. read more

Excellent! Sandwiches are delicious and very large!! Service is fantastic. I suggest supporting this cafe as much as possible so they stay around...I know I will!! read more

The good: * the sandwiches are huuuuuuuge, always enough for a solid lunch, sometimes even more * the meatballs are really really good * you can make your own sandwich with the ingredients they have, making for endless possibilities The bad: * cash only * long lines shortly after noon The ugly: * nothing, 2nd Street Cafe is great! read more

Why I like it: -Fresh ingredients -Super-friendly staff -Menu items change frequently: daily specials -Reasonable prices -Close to the office Why I don't eat there more often: -They are cash only, and I'm a D student when it comes to keeping cash on hand -They close at 3pm (open M-F), and I frequently head to lunch at 3 or later (because I'm a bird who eats small meals throughout the day) -I wish they had more vegetarian sandwiches. I'd eat there more often if there were a larger variety to choose from read more

A quick lunch. We got the chicken pesto and chicken melt. Both were prepared well. I wasn't blown away by either one. It's a small place with limited seats, so if you go during lunch hour when they're busy, you may have to grab your lunch and take it to go. read more