I have recently moved to the East Coast, but lived forever in Hermosa. I bemoan having left every day, especially when I see great things being written about my favorite home town restaurants.
New Orleans was BY FAR our favorite restaurant around, let alone for Cajun food. Mama knocks every dish right out of the park. The Po' Boys are great! Red Beans and rice are to die for. Mac & Cheese is hearty and perfect every time. Wife's favorite is the Fried Chicken. Mama also does a crawfish stuffed chicken that is always good. Get yourself some french fried sweet potatoes, dusted with her cajun mixture of spices and then drizzled with honey. Seriously brings me right back home every time. Always save room for desert as she usually has a cobbler or her famous bread pudding. Go with friends so that you might have a chance to try more stuff.
Rajin' Cajun can't touch this place.

Great review! This was a place on mommy's list too. She will be disappointed to hear it. I have read posts of yours and laud you for really putting things in perspective in your review.
I also commend you Mr. H for braving the restaurant world on Valentine's Day. Stories like this, and memories of my college years working in the mines, serve as great reminders of why we don't dine out on such a night. STILL, service horror and day old tortilla are crimes that should not go unpunished. But, something tells me we've all seen worse.

Good news for those in the Brookline area. The SG up here in Billerica is the real deal! They have a nice authenticity when you stick with the Sichuan classics.

Not Spanish necessarily, but tapas-like spot much needed. Could be Portuguese or North African influenced. Doesn't matter. You'd think with all the influences this area has you'd have such a spot. Maybe there IS this spot and I've missed it. I say Bergen County, but it can be Passaic too. We've tried a few spots that could would should be OK in Ridgewood, Hawthorne and Paterson.

Tell me more about Mediterraneo. Looking for tapas-like spot in or around Ridgewood.

That's a great post. Informational on the beef front and on an old Cheers episode referencing the Hungry Heafer.

Also looking for a good spot to get my mits on some quality prime meat for the holidays. I always do a standing rib roast but this year can't just go down my same old butcher (only because I'm new to Boston, can't you hear my L.A. accent?)

Sounds good! Definitely worth a try. Thank you also for the heads up on the Farm.

I'm on a quest for prime rib and steaks in Boston! I don't know why, mostly because it's starting to feel like fall finally and I guess I'm just feeling carnivorous. Please help!!!

I am originally from Los Angeles and am having an extremely tough time finding Mexican food in the outer reaches (like Billerica where we live). Have found some interesting stuff down in Waltham and moderately OK in Lexington and Arlington, but something that is worth repeat visits has been a tough find. We have been to Casa Blanca a couple times (off 3 north at the 129 junction) and but thas has more to do with proximity than anything else. Wednesdays they have mariachi which is fun and I couldn't turn my nose up at the Cadillacs.
It's been really tough to find a place that even has a decent salsa.
I have taken to making my own carnitas or carne asada on Saturdays for college football, but my wife and dog can only take so much. Buying a decent tortilla outside of Waltham has been a challenge too.
Any advice for the newcomer would be greatly appreciated.

Sichuan Gourmet is VERY good. The Billerica door is very busy at regular meal times, but seriously worth a trip. I have yet to sit down and eat with a big group (that's what you need to really enjoy the experience), but we have done take out a few times and they do the dumplings right, the soups are spot on and if you like Sichuan style you will absolutely love this.

I made some at home Sunday night. I should have invited you.
My recipe for the chimi is not really Argentinian, but it seems to work and I got a great couple of bunches of Parsley at the farmers market on Saturday so that's how it went.

Just moved up from North Jersey (wife's from Bergen County), tell me there is a place I can get a good white. The question is do they have the right water.

I made the horrible mistake of getting fish tacos at both the Border (something--not Border Grill, not On the Border, but Border something, across from Burlington Mall). Either way, do not repeat my offense. I have to admit that I had just gotten to Boston and was having a craving. Bad idea.
I hear Masa is really good and I will venture there.
My personal key to a good fish taco is that batter needs to be light (beer batter is OK, but something more along the lines of tempura), the cabage needs to be crisp and taste of sweet lime as the acid and a good hand made tortilla. The pico de gallo has to have a bite to it. I am not a crema person, but most people do like the sauce.
Rubios (NOT a fan) does offer both corn and flour tortillas so you do get to choose. I don't feel like there is a choice, but I'm stubborn that way.
For the San Diego-philes on here, talk to me about Roberto's (not Norberto's or Ruberto's). Who do I have to kill to get some tacos like that here in New England?

We have tried Watch City in Waltham and it was pretty good. The beer was very good and food was a step or two above regular pub food.
I will have to try Martha's Exchange though.
ANYTHING good up on the North Shore or in those New Hampshire beach towns??

Thanks fmcoxe6188. I did see a great band mid-week, I think it was Alex MacDougal. Very soulful group that I would definitely go back and see!

Chicken and waffles is the real deal. If your pallette craves the savory and sweet or sweet and spicy mix, you must go for this combo. I am shocked, I have to say, that I see it being talked about in Boston, by I'm a newbie here so forgive me. Coming from LA. I don't know anything other than Roscoe's (full chicken pieces, choice of light or dark) or Pann's (Spicy wings).
When in NYC however, you have to go to Melba's on 114th and 8th, in the Village of Harlem.

1st of all I love Marco. This was the first place we tried when were thinking about moving to Boston and it was a hit. I con't tell you all that I ordered that night, mostly because the menu changes on the regular and the wine was really good.
They do have a tasting menu. I would recommend going that way.
I would suggest the frittelle di ricotta (ricotta fritters) and of course vongole origanato. These are classic presentations.
The Insalata di rucola (bacon, shaved parmesan and fingerling potatoes) was a hit and they have a great endive salad with apples and walnuts.
That night I had bistec and a tagliatelle dish. My wife had a great ravioli dish. We also had un contorno, the ubiquitous brocoli rabe con salsiccia.
Great room, great service and the food was sharp on every course.

Joanie- I'm new here. What's Sauce? A weekly?

But can they make a Bronx?

I just have to report something. I am new to Boston and am fumbling around in the dark about where to eat and drink. My wife and I went into the city last week and I went to a place called Lucky's Lounge (on Congress in the Waterfront). There is no sign or really a visible door. It reminded me of the speak easies in Los Angeles (and Chicago for that matter), where I'm from, so I had to try the place. Great vibe inside with a stellar bar (2 sides) and live music.
Here's the kicker though. I tried the food...it was awesome! I looked at the menu and it all looked great. I had bacon wrapped meatloaf with mash. Everything was a homerun. Definitely not pub grub here; well beyond. They do a brunch and have Sinatra night on Sunday. I'll have to try this out!!

I can't second Antico Forno, but I have to say that when my wife and I were down in the NE last time specifically to go to Antico we were put off by the place. It really didn't look like anything, the menu was not very good and honestly no one was in the joint.
We went to Laconte's. This is old school, but good. Not the best place around, but very glad we went.