RF O'Sullivan's
282 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 492-7773
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--- Winner, Best Burger in Boston Area, 2009 (also 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005) ---
Ahh, O'Sullivan's. This charming little Somerville restaurant is many things to many people; it is a sanctuary on snowy nights, an escape after a long day at work, and simply a comfortable place to discuss the news of the day over a beer and a burger. RF O'Sullivan is an institution of sorts, though in a limited way, as it is not a well known restaurant outside of the communities just northwest of Boston. Indeed, this dining spot, located on a mostly residential street where Somerville borders Cambridge, may be one of Metro Boston's great hidden gems.
O'Sullivan's could not be laid out any simpler; a wraparound bar with a few tables along the walls, a couple of TVs showing mostly sports, and a back wall made of stone with an electric fireplace built into it. Yet the eating is the thing at RF O'Sullivan. The burgers at this restaurant are award-winning (literally) and have no real competition. Imagine thick hunks of ground beef grilled like those at a summer barbecue, served with steak fries nearly half the size of a potato. Add a cold bottle of brew, and you have a perfect meal.
O'Sullivan's has more than just burgers, however; the steak and cheese rollups at this restaurant are top quality, their chicken sandwiches are fresh and tasty, their grilled hot dogs are decent, and their steak tips are as good as those served at some of the best pubs and taverns in the Boston area. So if you're not looking for a burger, O'Sullivan's is still a great option for lunch or dinner.
Yes, Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in nearby Cambridge also has pretty amazing burgers; and it's true that UBurger in the Kenmore Square section of Boston and Kelly's Roast Beef in Revere and a handful of other burger joints and family restaurants serve some delicious patties. But no one makes juicy half-pound burgers quite like RF O'Sullivan. If you're skeptical of this claim, head over to this cozy little Somerville dining spot midway between Porter, Union, Harvard, and Inman Squares, and see for yourself. Beware, though; you might just forget about all the others very quickly.
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