$29 & Under Scarboroughs serves burgers, wings, fries in cozy setting BY CAROLINE LEE For The Sunday Gazette
ROTTERDAM — Tucked off to the side in Hannaford Plaza on Altamont Avenue is a nice little family-run restaurant called Scarboroughs. It’s been there forever, at least in suburban years, since the 1980s. If you haven’t been there, you should stop by. I’ll tell you about my visit and why you should go. I like places that call themselves taverns. You can expect to get a decent burger or wings and relax, and Scarboroughs doesn’t disappoint. The large dining room is lined with booths on two sides, tables in the middle, and it’s definitely not fussy. The wood paneling and local artifacts make it homey. That ancient Flexible Flyer sled on the wall was like an old friend to me; when I was a kid, six of them hung in a row in our garage. So in this happy frame of mind, Mom and I reviewed the menu. Scarboroughs says their chicken wings are legendary, and holy cow, did the ones at the next table look it. Did you ever see in cartoons how the aroma would arise from a dish and waft visibly and seductively across the room to someone’s nose? These wings did that to me. I like that you can add a buck to get only wings or drumsticks. No more eating one kind first, or sharing with someone who likes the same thing. If only life’s other conundrums were so easily resolved. FRIENDLY SERVICE Our young server was friendly and helpful, and the Reuben ($8.99) is her favorite sandwich. She also recommends the French onion steak sandwich ($9.75) made of shredded beef, caramelized onions, melted Provolone, and garlic aioli. But I was lured by visions of glorious melted cheese, and ordered the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich ($6.99) instead. As I waited I conjured up the ghosts of excellent grilled cheese sandwiches I have had: long strings forming as I pulled the halves apart, soft cheese bulging out slightly where it was sliced. The grilled bread fairly crackled in this fantasy. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but I enjoyed it and my waistline is much better off. It isn’t so much about the cheese as it is about the chopped tomato and basil. I like the combination, and the fresh fl avor of the tomatoes and basil made me forget for a moment about winter. The rye bread with its caraway seeds was browned just right, and I finished the whole thing, Now let’s discuss the fries. Ben Else, son of owners Patrice and Bill Else, doesn’t remember a time they didn’t serve the thick seasoned steak fries. “People come in for them,” he said. Let me tell you why: they’re soft and fluffy inside, and crusty and evenly browned on the outside. “We put seasoning on them,” Else told me. They’re just salty enough and perfectly crisp and dry, cooked admirably. “The hamburger will have to wait for these fries,” said Mom, who didn’t know yet that her burger would eclipse the fries. She enjoyed the pickles, by the way, and helped herself to mine. Most of the fries were gone when she turned her attention to the Stella melt ($8.99) with its caramelized onions, rye bread and Swiss cheese. AS YOU LIKE IT “Look,” she said, holding up her sandwich. “That’s exactly how I ordered it.” I felt a twinge of food envy when I saw the red mediumrare beef and melted cheese on grilled rye bread. “The meat tastes delicious,” she said. “That’s what makes it so good,” she added. The meat is cut and packed at the restaurant, and never frozen, Else told me. That’s why it doesn’t taste like ordinary hamburger. Mom thought it was outstanding. Scarboroughs has a dinner special on Tuesday nights, two meals for $15.95, including salad. There’s something different every week, and you can choose from two comforting and familiar meals like open face turkey dinners, meat loaf, and chicken parmesan. You can even get the special for one at $8.99. I was pleased with my visit to Scarboroughs, and I am ..........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar04102
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February 8, 2009, 7:08am
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Scarbouroughts has good wings. After I tried the wings at City Squire on Keyes Avenue, I won't eat another wing at Scarboroughs ... there's NO comparison.
Scarbouroughts has good wings. After I tried the wings at City Squire on Keyes Avenue, I won't eat another wing at Scarboroughs ... there's NO comparison.
Joe's right --you'd think any decent review would at least address these move rumours. The same paper that once published a review of the food at St Mary's Hospital. Will have to try the wings at City Squire-the wings at Fireside on Eastern are also great. Don't worry Sal, its safe for you to return. The Reps have decamped to the pizza joint.
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Joe's right --you'd think any decent review would at least address these move rumours. The same paper that once published a review of the food at St Mary's Hospital. Will have to try the wings at City Squire-the wings at Fireside on Eastern are also great. Don't worry Sal, its safe for you to return. The Reps have decamped to the pizza joint.
