I had high hopes for The Coast Cafe after seeing the mention in Boston Eater’s “Best Fried Chicken In Boston” article. The rice&beans with gravy is great. The cornbread soft and sweet, with a distincive muffin shape, and my wife loves it. We saw fresh sweet potato pies right out of the oven back in the kitchen while ordering, and we were tempted. The fried chicken has a crispy crust that’s divinely seasoned and crunchy… but that’s where we “ran off the road” (so to speak). The chicken had gone way too long in the fryer. The meat of the fried thighs was hard, tough and dry, and had been basically destroyed by overcooking. It’s a delicate balance, getting a crispy skin and crust, that takes getting the oil hot enough to get that done without cooking all the juice out of the chicken. It takes monitoring the product, measuring the internal temperature with a meat thermometer - and monitoring the oil temperature with a candy thermometer, and getting the timing right for the conditions. It could be the restaurant doesn’t want to run afoul of Department of Health regulations regarding internal temperature for cooked chicken (which are way too high in many places, although don’t know the Boston regulations) and overcompensates- but whatever the thought process is should take into account that chicken is best when cooked to 165º internal temperature at the bone. The chicken on my plate appeared to have been cooked to at least 225º - way overdone. The string beans were also fatally overcooked, which may be a question of regional style, but they were mushy and tasteless, not unlike other Southern vegetables I’ve experienced. I would rather have had a conversation about all this than putting it in a public review, because I want them to succeed and do better, but the opportunity didn’t present itself. If I see a reply noting my observations, we’ll give em another try. Until then...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Jea Kim
Solid spot for Soul food/Fried chicken cravings.
First heard about this spot a year ago from my friends dubbing it the best soul food restaurant in the GBA. With limited opening hours, it took me some time to finally make it here, but this week, I managed to visit for lunch
The restaurant was quite small, with just seven seats squeezed into its modest space. Most people seemed to know the drill, grabbing their orders to go, but with a menu learning heavily on fried options, we decided to dine in while everything was still hot and crispy.
We opted for the Fried Chicken Thighs and Fried Catfish combo plates, and both delivered on flavor. The chicken thighs were our favorite—perfectly seasoned, not overly greasy, and juicy. The catfish was also nice with its tender and flaky meat. However, the portions felt a bit small for the price, and while we dove in as soon as the plates hit the table, everything was lukewarm.
Among the sides, the Mac N Cheese was our favorite. The other offerings—Candied Yams, Collard Greens, and Rice & Beans—were solid but fairly basic. From the hot oven display, we tried the Beef Patty. The flavors were there, but it was a tad dry. It really could have benefited from a good dipping sauce.
Not entirely sold on my friends’ claim that this is the best soul food spot in the area. Yet, with limited options for Southern soul food in Cambridge/GBA, I would probably come back if I’m craving for good fried chicken and Southern comfort food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Wings
Sabine
Food is bomb! Very good….. but only being open 2-3 days out the week for 5 hours is lowkey ghetto. Why can’t yall extend buisness hours!?
Ordered at 5:30 pm on DoorDash, they literally gave us the end of the pan of EVERYTHING! The yams were literally DARK BROWN and tasted like pure cinnamon & nothing else, the rice was burnt and LITERALLY had burnt beans in it, the chicken was burnt to the core and tasted like old grease…positive..the Mac was good! I get they close at 8 but quality should be a priority! I’m big on supporting business ESPECIALLY black owned business. This is not to tear them down but to simply get them to do better!!!! The worst 40 I spent!
Food: 1
Leeroyd Fernezan
Always satisfied and never had have i had a complaint … but today the foood alone with the greens Are phenomenal … this is my Favorite soul food spot in the whole Massachusetts hands down.. ??❤️❤️❤️???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C.N. Blodgett
Small space- ideal for grab and go. Had the mixed fried chicken combo with Mac and cheese and candied yams.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Breast Dinner, Candied Yams, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread, Fried Chicken Plate Thighs Breasts
Spiritual C Concept
This is the best soul food i had From a restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jc C
They charged me $6.50 for this small “beef Pattie” the coast cafe y’all wrong as hell for this. They say support black business and this is what they give their customers. I gave this place two tries and it just got worse. Please save y’all money, we work to hard to make money and give it to this place!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shimul nath
First time ordering from here & the lady that gave me my food was very kind & made that it was actually me that was ordering the food & not some random person picking it up. Food was great & was completely worth it. I would definitely come back, food taste like they put so much love & care into it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elena Eberwein
I loved the blackened cat fish with delicious sides of Mac n cheese and green beans. This spot never disappoints! Only a few seats inside but sitting there is an option or takeaway. You won’t regret stopping by!
This place is one of the most delicious spots in Cambridge. Friends from out of town will come into the area and beg me to take them back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny Paul
SUPER DELICIOUS FOOD GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Breast Dinner
Rachel S
We had a great takeout meal at The Coast Cafe! We had the jerk chicken and fried breast and found all the food to be flavorful. In particular the cornbread was delicious and moist. Will be back!
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Cornbread
M C
My favorite restaurant in the entire world. Worth a stop every time I drive through Boston. The fried chicken, greens, and yams are just perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Cruz
$22 Rib combo plate had only 3 ribs that were way overcooked to the point the meat was mushy. 1 star there, but the collards and mac were excellent.
I had high hopes for The Coast Cafe after seeing the mention in Boston Eater’s “Best Fried Chicken In Boston” article.
The rice&beans with gravy is great. The cornbread soft and sweet, with a distincive muffin shape, and my wife loves it. We saw fresh sweet potato pies right out of the oven back in the kitchen while ordering, and we were tempted.
The fried chicken has a crispy crust that’s divinely seasoned and crunchy… but that’s where we “ran off the road” (so to speak). The chicken had gone way too long in the fryer. The meat of the fried thighs was hard, tough and dry, and had been basically destroyed by overcooking.
It’s a delicate balance, getting a crispy skin and crust, that takes getting the oil hot enough to get that done without cooking all the juice out of the chicken. It takes monitoring the product, measuring the internal temperature with a meat thermometer - and monitoring the oil temperature with a candy thermometer, and getting the timing right for the conditions. It could be the restaurant doesn’t want to run afoul of Department of Health regulations regarding internal temperature for cooked chicken (which are way too high in many places, although don’t know the Boston regulations) and overcompensates- but whatever the thought process is should take into account that chicken is best when cooked to 165º internal temperature at the bone. The chicken on my plate appeared to have been cooked to at least 225º - way overdone.
The string beans were also fatally overcooked, which may be a question of regional style, but they were mushy and tasteless, not unlike other Southern vegetables I’ve experienced.
I would rather have had a conversation about all this than putting it in a public review, because I want them to succeed and do better, but the opportunity didn’t present itself. If I see a reply noting my observations, we’ll give em another try. Until then...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Solid spot for Soul food/Fried chicken cravings.
First heard about this spot a year ago from my friends dubbing it the best soul food restaurant in the GBA. With limited opening hours, it took me some time to finally make it here, but this week, I managed to visit for lunch
The restaurant was quite small, with just seven seats squeezed into its modest space. Most people seemed to know the drill, grabbing their orders to go, but with a menu learning heavily on fried options, we decided to dine in while everything was still hot and crispy.
We opted for the Fried Chicken Thighs and Fried Catfish combo plates, and both delivered on flavor. The chicken thighs were our favorite—perfectly seasoned, not overly greasy, and juicy. The catfish was also nice with its tender and flaky meat. However, the portions felt a bit small for the price, and while we dove in as soon as the plates hit the table, everything was lukewarm.
Among the sides, the Mac N Cheese was our favorite. The other offerings—Candied Yams, Collard Greens, and Rice & Beans—were solid but fairly basic. From the hot oven display, we tried the Beef Patty. The flavors were there, but it was a tad dry. It really could have benefited from a good dipping sauce.
Not entirely sold on my friends’ claim that this is the best soul food spot in the area. Yet, with limited options for Southern soul food in Cambridge/GBA, I would probably come back if I’m craving for good fried chicken and Southern comfort food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Wings
Food is bomb! Very good….. but only being open 2-3 days out the week for 5 hours is lowkey ghetto. Why can’t yall extend buisness hours!?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Breast Dinner, Waffles & Chicken, BBQ, Cornbread, Ribs
Ordered at 5:30 pm on DoorDash, they literally gave us the end of the pan of EVERYTHING! The yams were literally DARK BROWN and tasted like pure cinnamon & nothing else, the rice was burnt and LITERALLY had burnt beans in it, the chicken was burnt to the core and tasted like old grease…positive..the Mac was good! I get they close at 8 but quality should be a priority! I’m big on supporting business ESPECIALLY black owned business. This is not to tear them down but to simply get them to do better!!!! The worst 40 I spent!
Food: 1
Always satisfied and never had have i had a complaint … but today the foood alone with the greens Are phenomenal … this is my Favorite soul food spot in the whole Massachusetts hands down.. ??❤️❤️❤️???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Small space- ideal for grab and go. Had the mixed fried chicken combo with Mac and cheese and candied yams.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Breast Dinner, Candied Yams, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread, Fried Chicken Plate Thighs Breasts
This is the best soul food i had
From a restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They charged me $6.50 for this small “beef Pattie” the coast cafe y’all wrong as hell for this. They say support black business and this is what they give their customers. I gave this place two tries and it just got worse. Please save y’all money, we work to hard to make money and give it to this place!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
First time ordering from here & the lady that gave me my food was very kind & made that it was actually me that was ordering the food & not some random person picking it up. Food was great & was completely worth it. I would definitely come back, food taste like they put so much love & care into it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved the blackened cat fish with delicious sides of Mac n cheese and green beans. This spot never disappoints! Only a few seats inside but sitting there is an option or takeaway. You won’t regret stopping by!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread, Catfish
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is one of the most delicious spots in Cambridge. Friends from out of town will come into the area and beg me to take them back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SUPER DELICIOUS FOOD
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken Breast Dinner
We had a great takeout meal at The Coast Cafe! We had the jerk chicken and fried breast and found all the food to be flavorful. In particular the cornbread was delicious and moist. Will be back!
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Cornbread
My favorite restaurant in the entire world. Worth a stop every time I drive through Boston. The fried chicken, greens, and yams are just perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$22 Rib combo plate had only 3 ribs that were way overcooked to the point the meat was mushy. 1 star there, but the collards and mac were excellent.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
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