I felt like I was in the an original 1970s cafe in the heart of Boston. It was very exciting. Literally, construction workers would put their helmets down to scarf a breakfast before going out to work. If I worked in the area, I'd probably come here every day. Super traditional food but tons of variety. I got the breakfast sandwich with everything on it, with the potatoes thrown right on the sandwich. Perfect size (a little bit more than I was comfortable eating) and I finished every bite. Good coffee as well. Too bad I live thousands of miles away. I'll definitely come back when I'm in town though! read more

Just okay. The service was fast and friendly. The food wasn't anything impressive though. I even willingly waited 10 minutes for fresh pizza so I could taste it at its best. It was just plain cheese pizza (which I love), but honestly I think Domino's is better. I also got a chocolate chip corn muffin. It was just okay. I don't really have anything bad to say about Rustico, but nothing really good either. read more

this is a great place to grab a bite (any time of day..they are open pretty late!) for a slice. their dough is ultra thin and firm. it is not soggy at all despite despite the sauce and other toppings. you don't have to fear all your toppings sliding off a limp slice. everything we tried here was excellent. our favorite slices are the buffalo chicken and the veggie. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - three slices of pizza on paper plates - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely amazing!! Honestly the best I've had in Boston so far. Super great texture and quality. The sauce was fantastic. It even tastes great reheated!!! read more

Food is great. I'd say the prices are fair. I paid close to $10 (including tax) for a caprese salad with 5 slices of tomatoes, 4 slices of mozzarella, balsamic glaze, and arugula. Cashier is not friendly. Kitchen staff is more friendly. I called to ask how long it would take for a salad to be prepared and she said no longer than 5 minutes, so I ordered it. After waiting 5 minutes I asked how much longer it would be. She looked at me as if she was annoyed (she was chatting with her coworker) and said "I don't know". I said OK; you said it'd be no longer than 5 min. I have a meeting to get to. Can you check? She checked and the chef actually made sure I got my salad quickly, so kudos to the kitchen staff and chef! read more

The food is great. Classic small Italian take out, but it's very tasty. This would be a 5 star rating if it weren't for the poor service. I pre-ordered at Rustico twice and both times I might as well have waited in line with everyone else. The family owned restaurant is seemingly run by family members who can be a little gruff. I find that I avoid Rustico's more than I seek it out because the slow turn, chip on the shoulder and it ain't cheap take out. read more

Picture online looked good, I ordered a slice of cheese at noon & they only had 2 slices of pepperoni & one square slice that looked like it was there from day before. I paid $5 for a slice of pepperoni & the guy grabbed it with his bare hand and put it in the oven. After Covid I don't want to see that, he had it in the oven 30 seconds. I took 2 bites & threw away, greasy mess. read more

Wow, I cannot figure out all the stars for this place. It was a big greasy mess and when I fired up the iPhone for a little wifi, this is what I got: "Oh, I don't have the password." This after the Yelp app says it's free. If you don't have the password that means you don't have it for anyone who asks. My visit was fairly early in the morning and the place was already dirty. I was the only one there so it wasn't like they had trouble getting to it. I'm not not sure how lunch is but if breakfast is any indication, I'm assuming not very good. Everything is super cheap though but I don't really need that much of a tradeoff. My omelet wasn't really an omelet but more like a scramble. Everything was in there that was supposed to be but other than that it's nothing to write home about. They were very friendly when I told them I was lost though and gave me directions on where to find the subway and how to get to my destination. Service was ok and she managed to smile and brighten up my morning. It's scary being new to the area and lost. I may in the future decide to give them another try if I'm in the area. Breakfast spots are few and far between if you're looking for table service. If not I'm sure there are plenty of options in the area. read more

Like Adrienne below, my 60 Canal St. cohorts and I (now around the corner above the Harp on Portland St.) loved to run across the street to this seemingly 12' x 12' Italian storefront at lunchtime. Now, we just have to run a little further, trying not to be tempted by the Banknorth Garden bars on the way there. My staple sandwich is the "Larry," the Larifortre (sp?), which has grilled chicken and supple prosciutto on a unique bread with a light honey mustard-like dressing. Good stuff -- they also have sandwiches with balsamic and arugula with proscuitto and mozz. Amazing sandwiches...but... My favorite reason to go, whenever I'm working out of the Boston office, is to get a steaming plateful of Carmine's gnocchi. It is like a gnocchi alla sorrentina -- rich tomatoes, fresh basil, tender potato dumplings, and healthy chunks of fluffy white mozzarella melted within. Total comfort food, esp. on a rainy Boston afternoon. Very fair prices, very quick and friendly service, this is still my standby for a quick grab and go lunch in Boston. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Osteria Rustico - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Steph D. said it better than I ever could have. Rustico, what happened? I used to come to you at least once a week and I couldn't stay away. Now? Not so much. Everything has been lacking for months and it honestly only took me one visit to taste the difference. The cooks are the same, but the quality of ingredients and the quantity of it all is just not the same. I give up. The North End is WAYYYY too close for them to slack like this. read more

One of the only places open on NYE. Some of the best pizza i've ever had. Super friendly staff, they chatted with us while we waited for our impressively fast pizza order. Looking forward to trying some of their sandwiches. read more

Great Subs and Pizza. I had the Sausage Sub with Mozzarella and sauce. Perfect amounts of everything and served with a great staff. The only problem I had was the really cute girl there kissed and hugged this other guy in front of me (one of their dad's or something) but she didn't kiss or hug me! Damn. I can't wait to return for some pizza and some subs even though I didn't get the hug and kiss from the pretty staff. read more

Overnight in Boston! At my hotel I took one look at the microwaved breakfast, and I said, "I need real food!" The attendant recommended Rustico! The beautiful! owner Kiki took my order. I ordered an egg white omelette with vegetables that came out very quick was cooked to perfection! I'll be back for Lunch before heading to the airport!! Came back for lunch and 2 for 2!!! It great to know that you won't have to think about not haveing a good meal when near the Boston Garden! Buon appetite! read more

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Had lunch here with friends that were visiting from the West Coast. I don't know Boston well at all so I turned to Yelp for help (hey - that rhymes!). This place was highly rated so we headed over. This place is very small - only a handful of tables. I think they are only open for lunch. The menu is not extensive, but features a variety of sandwiches and pastas. There were 7 of us at lunch and 4 order the gnocchi, which was just OK. Hubby ordered a side of meatballs (good!) and a non-memorable pasta dish. The youngster in our group ordered cheese ravioli, but they shorted her on the order so she ended up ordering a second plate. The most amazing looking selection was the sausage sandwich. That sucker had to have been a foot long. If I head back here again that's what I'm ordering. Service was excellent. Prices were reasonable. I'd say this is a good place to go for lunch if you work in the area, but it will not WOW you if you are a tourist. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Italian sausage sandwich - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Rustico didn't even meet my very low expectations. The place was filthy. I waited forever to place my order and even longer for my sandwich to come out - on a dirty plate! While I waited in line to order, I watched the cashier periodically dash back into the kitchen to help wrap up the sandwiches, without gloves. This has got to be a sanitary code violation. My eggplant parm sandwich came out in a puddle of oil. Oh, and they have a sign up offering free cookies in exchange for good Yelp reviews, which might help explain some of the good reviews you'll read here. I am pretty sure that's against Yelp's terms of service. Either way, not a good look. I'm still giving it 2 stars because...I did finish the sandwich, and I didn't get sick. read more

Great pizza with very fresh ingredients ready within 15 minutes. Just be aware a whole pizza is huge, so if you're not sharing with at least 3 other people, you'll have lots left over. We're from California where a large feeds 2 read more

Big fan - Good food, good price, friendly staff. I came here to grab some take out for lunch. I've passed by here a few times, but never tried it till now. Sometimes was busy and now I know why. I ordered the Pick 2 (Half Soup, Salad, or Sandiwch) deal. I got the Salad Special and Chicken Alla Pesto, both dish with items Ilike, such as Pesto, mushroom, mozzerella, etc. The salad was fresh, but next time maybe I order my dressing on the side. The Chicken sub was still good after a 15min walk back to office. The roll was toasted, so it was still warm and cheese still gooey. Chicken, pesto, mushroom is my kinda mix. Will definitely be back for lunch. They are breakfast (at good price) and pasta as well. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Pick 2 combo deal...half Salad Special and Chicken Alla Pesto - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A no-frills, cash-only Italian-inspired restaurant that's part take-out, part sit-down (if you can find a seat at one of the few tables). I am so happy I work near here so I can get to eat the most delicious, rich, creamy gnocchi ever whenever I want. Seriously, the gnocchi is incredible! The other pasta dishes are also very good, but the gnocchi is the stand-out by far. The sauce is absolutely perfect, the cheese is always fresh (you can tell by the stringiness) and the little dried herb seasoning on top is the perfect touch). I sampled the arugula salad once with some co-workers and boy was it good. Amazing dressing, very fresh vegetables, just superb for being, well, a salad. Between that and the gnocchi, I had such an amazing meal. And even though it's cash only, the prices are so much more affordable than over-priced North End eateries a few blocks down. So glad I'm a hop and skip from this place. read more

Lucky and grateful I stumbled upon this place minutes before they closed and the C's tip-off. The clerk working the counter was an absolute gent even though I could tell he had had a long day of serving customers. Helpful, attentive and made one of the best sandwhiches I've had in some time. It's a small informal place - but the food and service were outstanding. read more

Great place for lunch takeout. They also have some tables. Family owned. Always super nice. Great Italian food. It's right around he corner from my job so convenience is great. The pasta is great. Chicken parm awesome. Good salads as well. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Outside. - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Oh my gosh. This place was so good. I went in to Pizzeria Rustico today after strolling around the area and found myself craving a Caesar salad. I decided to order myself a slice of the pepperoni pizza and one of their aforementioned Caesar salads. Little did I know I was about to dig into the best salad of my life. Before I even received the salad I noted the amazing service. The lady taking my order was kind, patient, and ready to bust out the most amazing salad in the tristate area. Together my total was $13.56, and I took my food to go. It was ready in less than 3 minutes. I carried it 15 minutes on the T and immediately the amazing smell filled the car. When I returned home, I ate the entire slice of pizza, which was amazing, before dolling out a heaping portion of the salad sent from heaven. I immediately took note of the perfect portion of dressing, the most spectacular ratio of cheese to lettuce, and I took my first bite. Oh. My. God. The salad completely smashed my expectations for what a Caesar salad could even be. My favorite part, by FAR was the croutons. They were soft, but yet still held up a beautiful crunchy crust. The crouton to salad ratio was on point and I got a crouton in every. Single. Bite. The best part, I had NO trouble piercing it with my fork, which can arguably be the most frustrating part of a salad eating experience. I gobbled up my portion and stowed the rest away in my fridge, which kept perfectly for dinner, which only consisted of the rest of the salad. That's right, an $8 salad was enough to sustain me for almost two full meals. Safe to say, I WILL be returning to this establishment, and I cannot wait to try everything on the menu. Thank you Pizzeria Rustico, for raising my standards on salad and the meal experience as a whole. You have earned a LIFE long customer. read more

Rustico has delicious food and great staff. I can only comment on the breakfast because that's all that I order. Between the 3 restaurants on the block that sell breakfast Rustico is the best. They serve fresh coffee. There are sandwiches made for customers in advance. You are also able to call for orders to be picked up. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We ordered the cheese pizza, aunties fav salad, and a side of meatballs. I would say their pizza is just as good as Regina's in the north end. Also, I didn't know you could order meatballs on the side. I'm so glad I asked bc those meatballs were amazing! Someone walking by the window stopped in to ask me what I ordered. Highly recommend this place. read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Meatballs - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Amazing Food I Had "The Barnyard" Delicious! The atmosphere is soooo warming and humble Chef J is a wonderful cook I was over satisfied with my meal ! I will be making more time before to get food from here from now on ! read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The most unbelievable fried raviolis I've ever had. If you want quality food at a great price, look no further!

Rustico is the hidden gem of the "Bulfinch Triangle" neighborhood. If you work in the area and have not yet tried Carmine's food, you should RUN to give this place a try. The tomato cream sauce is downright addictive, and should be added to the DEA's list of illegal substances. It is the highlight of all the sauces offered. Rustico's Caprese has the largest and freshest tomato and buffalo mozzarella pieces in town. Their chicken salad is fantastic, with a unique preparation where the chef grinds the chicken with the seasoning, served up with hot peppers, onions, and anything else you desire. I usually prefer chunks of chicken, so this says something about how good this preparation is. My only complaint is that the chicken breasts used in sandwiches or on salads tend to be a bit dry. Especially when combined with a crusty bread, the dry chicken breast tends to make for a tough bite/swallow. Anyway - you get the idea - it's damn good. And I have two 'by the ways' : 1) don't let the $9+ pasta prices throw you - the portions are huge - and one can usually get two lunches / dinners out of the one; and 2) don't let the Yankees fan who usually works the counter get you down - he's alright, even though he roots for the enemy... Update: the Yankee-loving counter help has left the building... read more

Absolutely agree with all those other lower reviewers, the service here is subpar. Don't go here if you are hungry because a luke warm sandwich will take 15-20 to make!!!The most offensive was that several people got their food before me when they had places their order after me! I don't know their workflow but it's seriously inefficient and the kitchen seemed really confused most of the time. This is the third time this has happened and I shall not even attempt to go here anymore, not worth the poor service and hangry-ness! read more

I'm feeling pretty mixed bag about this place. Admittedly, I would have never gone in here if the people who run Mulligan's next door hadn't been on vacation. However, it was crappy outside, and I wanted a non-subway sandwich. There was a crazy line (that will happen anytime one of the restaurants in the area is closed for lunch) so I took the time to read the menu. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know that I'm kind of picky, so when I went to the front counter I asked if there was anything on any of the sandwiches that was not listed. Specifically, mayo, dressing, etc. The girl behind the counter said no, but I could get anything else if I wanted it. I didn't, so I was pleased to be able to order something off the menu without modifying it.... That was until I bit into my sandwich. COVERED in dressing. I had to work hard to salvage what little chicken wasn't stained purplish by whatever dressing they'd used. Regardless, I came back another day because the pasta looked good. I ordered the cheese ravioli with meat sauce. It was delicious! It was topped with some bad basil (i.e. not the restaurant's fault, someone probably sold them old basil) but it was easy enough to pick off. But the sauce was dripping with oil. I'll never understand why a person feels like they should ADD oil to a red sauce? I also ordered garlic bread, which I expected to be buttery (or olive oily) deliciousness. It wasn't. Again with the dressing. I'm not sure what they put on the cheese, but it was vinegar-like, and I again threw out 80% of what was ordered. Things I liked: 1. DELICIOUS ravioli. And relatively fast. 2. They put meat sauce on cheese ravioli! This carnivore appreciated that! 3. Everyone working there is very polite. Even when they are slammed. Sandwiches simply come with chips without having to pay extra. Things I didn't like: 1. Dressing on everything! 2. it's a bit expensive. 3. Everything was too oily for my taste. All in all? Decent pasta, and my sandwich looked good, I couldn't tell you if it was tasty or not. If you have a food allergy, move along because you'll get something here you didn't expect. 3/5 read more

I was really excited to try this place since it had Italian Wedding Soup and it was close to my office. It had a great atmosphere, and I ordered the Italian Wedding Soup to go, the staff was very friendly. I got back to my office opened up my soup getting more and more excited I put my crackers in stirred my soup around pulled up my spoon to find a piece of black hair about 4 inches long and they make the soup without pasta. I do not think I will be returning read more

What oh what has happened to Rustico? Previously a bright, shining star in the world of tasty lunches, its new management has seriously, seriously dropped the ball. Existing menu items have deteriorated -- slapdash construction, poorer ingredients. My salad tasted like it was dressed with water. New menu items cheapen the establishment, like steak tip sandwiches that are nothing more than a few grilled tips on a supermarket roll with a slice of provolone laid on top, and a sheet of construction paper now hanging off the bottom of the posted menu that advertises tuna and ham sandwiches. You're really pitting those against gnocchi and sandwiches with heavenly light, fresh mozzarella? Get with the picture -- no one going to Rustico wants another run-of-the-mill deli, especially for over $8 a sandwich. I give you two more chances, tops. read more

Really really really good everything. I come here every lunch break even though I try to tell myself to try new things. My 2019 goal is to try everything on the menu read more

This place is a GREAT lunch spot. I work a couple blocks away and I go here a couple times a week. You can takeout or eat-in (but please note there are only 7 tables - 2 that seat four people and 5 that seat 2). It's clean and well run. It is clear that the owner, Kiki, takes pride in what she does. She always has a warm smile and a friendly greeting when you go in there (and she's really easy on the eyes; makes waiting for your food a plus). The sandwiches are very filling and are served on delicious bread. The italian sub, the sausage and pepper/onions sub, and the meatball sub are all very tasty and very filling. Garlic bread is outstanding and actually has real garlic in it. They often run specials and they are all worth trying. I have also eaten a few of the pasta dishes (eating in) and loved them all - fresh and flavorful. Ignore the negative reviews and try this place, I do not think you will regret it. read more

I would eat the gnocchi every day if it wouldn't mean a barrage of health problems later in life. Morgan Spurlock should've done "Tortelloni Me: The Rustico Story." Cheap, excellent Italian food near North Station. Fresh sauces, reliable service, and a specials board that never seems to change. Want to go light? Get the salad special - chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, and a balsamic dressing. Want to ensure a food coma when you get back to work? Get the gnocchi, or even the gynormous pollo sandwich (chicken parm minus the fried chicken). read more

This place is super fresh and tasty, and it's relatively cheap. I don't like their turkey sandwich -- way too dry -- but my god, the rest of the sandwiches are good. The "Clemenza" salad is underwhelming -- there's a TON of baby arugula and not much else -- but it's still from super fresh ingredients. I guess it tastes better when you add meat?!? Apparently they're under new management these days; the main courses haven't changed, but they're a little stingier than they used to be with the bread that comes with salads. Still... if you work nearby buildings, this is definitely the best place to eat. Thinking about their chicken parm sandwich (the "Pollo") is making me extremely hungry -- even though I just had breakfast. read more

Rustico is one of our favorite spots! My boyfriend and I happened upon Rustico on a snowy February night. We had just signed our new lease at our realtor's nearby office and only wanted to find a place to grab a quick dinner and drink. We ended up sitting in the window seat, enjoying our dinner and talking with the owner for close to 2 hours. The food is delicious and very reasonably priced. The ingredients are fresh and local. The portion sizes are perfect and then some - you're bound to leave with leftovers. The atmosphere is quaint and super friendly. As the restaurant emptied out that night, the owner, Kiki, welcomed and encouraged my boyfriend and I to take our time, relax and enjoy our dinner. She even allowed us to linger long after she had locked the doors. We have never felt more comfortable or at home in a restaurant. It's hard to believe this was our first time there. Our evening at Cafe Rustico was one of the best and most memorable dining experiences I've had in Boston. read more

Found this place on yelp. Asked them what they recommend and got the sausage parm. Awesome sandwich full of flavor. Employees are super nice and friendly. Will definitely be coming back for more! read more

Pizzeria Rustico - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

RUSTICO! This update is so well deserved. You've changed back, kept the t-shirts and dang good service. The coffee is now delicious and you have added some effing awesome veggie subs. The Rustica is maybe my favorite sandwich I've ever eaten - A sandwich with mozzerella and tomatoes that for once doesn't have basil - I'm pretty much a fan forever now. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Thanks for combining the best of the old and the new. I'm back. read more

Stuck between Mulligan's and Boston Common Cafe (and the other cafe that I don't recall), Rustico is a small Italian spot that offers mediocre food. Breakfast and lunch open until 4. It gets a big crowd, but it just so happens to be in a busy area. I got the Ortagi sub and was hoping for something marvelous. Well, it was good, but just not what I expected. For $8, I was hoping a little bigger, different cheese and a little more flavor. Everything was cooked well, couldn't complain about that. I wish they offered more vegetarian/pescetarian items! I'd go there more.. read more

I wouldn't even feed a dog their food- and that is being polite. Yes, the staff are very nice people but they do not know how to do food! I am not sure why I waited so long for a hot sandwich which was cold when I bit into it. The thin slices of provolone had not even melted. The 'grilled chicken' must have been grilled from earlier in the morning or the day before and was refrigerated and was like a cold rubber band when biting into it. Not only was the texture frightening it smelled and tasted like 'chicken.' It is kind of like fish should not smell or taste like 'fish.' This was not a sandwich drenched in a tomato sauce to disguise any flavors. It was very simple grilled chicken with 'melted' provolone, roasted red peppers and greens with some balsamic. It went straight in the trash after one bite- still hungry! read more

Eggplant Parm is absolutely FANTASTIC. Never eaten a better portion of food in my life. Seriously, I came in because some of my coworkers spoke highly of the place and I can't say no to a caprese salad. So I went, the place is small and cozy, playing beautiful italian opera nice and loud so you can't ignore it, not that you'd want to. The wait was a fine especially if you know it's good. The salad was great, could use some more tomatoes but besides that I enjoyed every bite of my meal. The side of eggplant parm was just enough with my salad. read more