-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

The Restaurant

489 Main Street, Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 935-2511 Find location!

Photo of The Restaurant, Woburn, MA It would be a reasonable assumption to make that a restaurant called, well, "The Restaurant" might be a rather plain, dull dining spot. But in the case of a cafeteria-style dining spot in Woburn Center, this would be an assumption that holds little weight. The Restaurant, which sits on Main Street in the heart of Woburn's business district, is indeed anything but boring, as it turns out some fantastic Greek dishes, as well as some excellent American entrees as well.

The Restaurant is located in a rather cavernous spot that feels like it may have been a warehouse or auto-repair shop in a previous life. Yet while the high ceilings, echoey acoustics, and plain decor imply that The Restaurant is not a place to go for a candlelight dinner, the food more than makes up for the basic atmosphere. Fresh, wholesome, and supremely enjoyable, the daily specials at The Restaurant, as well as the everyday entrees, are the type of meals that definitely stick to one's bones. As mentioned earlier, The Restaurant is basically a cafeteria, in which diners grab a tray, order at the counter, then move to the left, picking up their food, drinks, and desserts as they head toward the cash register. The Restaurant has a large number of tables to accommodate patrons, though much of the business done at The Restaurant is takeout.

Some of the best dishes at The Restaurant include the wonderful steak tips (complete with a delicious marinade), the oh-so-good half chicken with stuffing, the hearty chicken pot pie, and perhaps the best two dishes, the exquisitely tangy macaroni and cheese and the dense, rich chili. One thing to remember is that many items are on special depending on the day (including such Greek favorites as pastitsio), so make sure you pick up a menu when you go there.

The Restaurant has quite a following among Woburn locals, but few restaurant critics seem to know about the place. That might just suit the neighborhood folks fine, though, as The Restaurant indeed feels like the kind of secret place that you feel fortunate to have discovered once you try it. If you like reasonably-priced Greek cuisine and don't enjoy long lines for food, The Restaurant should certainly be on your list of places to try.