Boston Restaurant Blog -- January, 2006

A few of us were talking about past and present restaurants on Route 1 in Saugus. For those who don't know Route 1, it is one of the cheesiest, outdated, most over-the-top roads in Massachusetts, if not the United States. Everywhere you look, you see weirdness, including a leaning tower of pizza (not Pisa), a string of no-tell motels, a huge dinosaur guarding a miniature golf course, a bunch of plastic cows, and a huge ship near the Lynnfield border that used to be a restaurant. Route 1 in Saugus, for better or for worse, is a memorable road.

There are a lot of bad restaurants on Route 1, but there are a few good ones, too, and even some of the bad restaurants are worth going to just for the atmosphere. For instance, I don't particularly like the Hilltop Steak House, but the cheesy cactus sign and the plastic cows out front are almost worth the price of admission. Another rather mediocre restaurant, Augustine's, is now closed, but in its day, it was worth piling up on the pasta at the buffet while listening to the woman playing unforgettable songs (again, for better or worse) on the piano.

One restaurant I really like on Route 1 in Saugus is Prince Pizzeria and Bar, home of the aforementioned leaning tower of pizza. Some of the best pizza I have had has come from Prince Pizza, and the atmosphere is old-fashioned and family-oriented, so this is a great non-chain option for people with children. The owners are truly good people, and they really treat their help well, which is often a rarity these days.

Some other restaurants on Route 1 in Saugus include The Continental, a middling restaurant that isn't a bad option for families; a branch of Kelly's Roast Beef, though I would rather go to the Kelly's on Revere Beach; a branch of The Border Cafe; Donatello's; and, of course, the famous (or infamous?) Kowloon, a restaurant made famous partly by a certain sports radio guy's love for the place, and partly for its almost unbelievable cheesiness and tackiness.

If you have not been to Route 1 in Saugus yet, do yourself a favor and make a trip up there. You won't soon forget it!

Related Blog Entries: Saugus restaurants

Posted by MH, Boston's Hidden Restaurants, on January 25, 2006.
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26 COMMENTS:
Sctts said:
I am very sorry to hear that Augustines restaurant in Saugus is closed. I took my wife there for our first dinner out and now I was planning to spend our 20th anniversary there. I know that they were the best Italian restaurant in the Boston area for years.
Posted on 9/26/06
BostonGal said:
The best part about Hilltop Steak House is my childhood memories of hearing over the loudspeaker "Sioux City pahty ah fouh ya tables ready."
Posted on 4/23/08
Barbie said:
I remember the Hilltop and the loudspeaker too! That was so much fun. The Continental is still there and the food is great as well as the entertainment. Smokin Joe DJ and Karaoke is just a blast. He has a wonderful voice and you can dance the night away! We went the other night and it was a lot of fun!
Posted on 7/1/08
Suz said:
Had I not grown up in Lynnfield and driven down Route 1 essentially every day for 20+ years, then I'd think it were the trashiest place in America. However, I do not. I have a strange affinity for this road and all of the options from food to shopping and everything in between, and I'm talking from Saugus to Topsfield. They're doing a lot in bettering the grocery options as well with the development of the new plaza where Caruso's Diplomat used be, which now features a Trader Joe's. Oh, and Prince Pizza - AMAZING. I just may go grab a pie from there right now! :)
Posted on 12/11/08
aj gabby said:
The Continental still knocks out a good meal. Lots of nibblies are passed around by servers before the meal starts - popovers, meatballs, etc. The meals are good as is the service. It's not gourmet meals but good food. The decor is the same as it was over 40 years ago when my wife and I were dating.
Augustines was pitiful. It's sad to go to the Hilltop and see how little business they have. The porkchops and salad are a great meal and it's very inexpensive. Two large porkchops for about $13. Worth the trip.
Posted on 12/12/08
mlb said:
I miss hearing the announcement of your table is ready and the room that they decided to seat your party at the Hilltop. I still go there occasionally because my husband likes a good steak and baked potato. But I must say, I hope Route 1 in Saugus continues to offer a diverse amount of choices for eating. Kowloons is a great place to go if you have a large party and Prince Pizza continues to offer cheap and delicious meals for families.
Posted on 1/17/09
Jeff said:
I miss the old Diamond Head restaurant where Polcaris is. The food was good and there was entertainment there on the weekends.
Posted on 2/6/10
Trish said:
I grew up in Lynnfield and Rt 1 was the only place you could go to shop and eat back in those days. It wasn't tacky at all to us - in fact, as an 8 yr old - it was magical! That crazy orange dinosaur and leaning tower of pizza were landmarks that marked the coming of great food and wonderful experiences.
All our proms were at Kowloon and I never got eat at the Hilltop because McDonalds was right across the street and we couldn't wait 4 hours to eat!
I loved Rt 1 in Saugus - and even though I couldn't believe how awful it looks now - back in the 70's and 80's it really was a very cool place.
You can go home again...it's just not the same anymore.
Posted on 2/9/10
Bobby De said:
How about Adventure Car Hop...Woo Woo Ginsburg. Now more toward today. Hard Cover still good but not many of the old spots.
Posted on 6/25/10
dwn said:
remember fri or sat at the hilltop wait at least 1hr for good meal now its not very good.
Posted on 8/8/10
CJ said:
How about the Red Coach Grill and also Valley Steak house. The good old days...I also think there was a Red Lobster way back when where the 99 resturant is standing.
Posted on 10/10/10
Ron said:
I agree, Diamond Head restaurant was a great place. Hilltop Steak House was the king of steak houses on rt 1 in the old days.. does anybody remember Jolly Georges or the Saugus International Airport restaurants? Continental restaurant was and still is a decent eatery. Love all those munchies...
Posted on 10/19/10
jm said:
Where was Augustines restaurant.
Posted on 8/6/11
MH said:
jm, it was on Route 1 Northbound, just north of the Lynn Fells Parkway fork.
Posted on 8/8/11
Kathy said:
I grew up in Saugus with the Kowloon, Hilltop and Vallee's...Augustine's and all that...now live in central Mass and we travel back to Rte. 1 for Donatello. If you want excellent cuisine and outstanding professional service..you will find it all at Donatello. Veal is perfection...Di Vitello Francese is my fav but they have taken it off the new menu..but will make it for you ask. Gnocchi are pillows, and you start the meal with an overflowing bread basket of fresh homemade bread and breadsticks. I love this place...who else would travel 1 1/2 hours for a piece of veal...! Well worth it...check it out...you will feel special as they attend to your every need..
Posted on 8/13/11
SVC said:
A couple of us were trying to remember the name of the restaurant where Spinelli's Lynnfield is now. I had my wedding rehearsal dinner there, but can't recall its name. Does anyone remember it?
Posted on 9/1/11
kmb said:
Route 1 thru Saugus is the definitive of cheesiness!! Tacky is putting it nicely. However, myself & a bunch of girlfriends did go to Kowloon a few years ago to see...Rick Springfield?? hahaha...admit that we had fun & lots of laughs.
Posted on 9/2/11
WHA said:
The Town Line (Lyne?) was where Spinellis is today. The Continental's still worth a trip and I miss the woman with the too-many-cigarettes voice at the Hilltop. When that was too crowded we'd go to the Red Coach (where Kelly's is now) or Valles (where the JoAnn Fabric store is) but it just wasn't the same! Russo's had the best chocolate ice cream ever, while my Dad was partial to Lum's because they steamed the hot dogs in beer. Long, long ago there was even an amusement park, Kiddie Ranch, just north of the Essex Street exit. If you can remember that, well, you're old like me!
Posted on 9/21/11
sci said:
Did anyone ever go the "Flash in the Pan" it was really delish, early upscale gourment in the old silver diner. I think it was only there for a short time, early 80's does anyone know where the chef and his team is now?
Posted on 9/28/11
MRC said:
The Towne Lyne House was where Spinelli's is now.
Posted on 1/2/12
klm said:
What was the name of the restaurant where Donatello's is....before it was Donatello's Saugus, Mass
Posted on 1/16/12
JJF said:
I grew up in Lynn and never thought of Route 1 as tacky...all the great landmark buildings fascinated me! We spent many Saturday nights at Augustine's, or Sunday dinners at Valle's or The Hilltop, and Godfried's Deli was the best! I am planning a trip back to Mass. soon and it's sad to know that these places are no longer there, but I am looking forward to driving Route 1 again! AND, I remember Kiddie Ranch too... my parents used to take my sister and I there in the late 50's/early 60's... crossing that little wooden foot bridge to get in was one of my favorite thing to do there! (I'm not THAT old....)
Posted on 1/27/12
Mike B. said:
stopped into the continental for lunch, the food and service were great. i was informed that they have live entertainment every night but Monday. So I went in on the following Thursday night for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. the music was great, everyone was dancing and having a good time, including myself and my girlfriend.. Great drinks, So much good food,and friendly staff. we WILL be going back.
Posted on 1/30/12
smc said:
Was John Martins Manor the name of the restaurant probably after Valles? I remember it was my favorite place to go for my birthday.
Posted on 2/1/12
CJM said:
I was with someone last night who distinctly recalls a restaurant called the "Snake Pit" in Saugus (circa 1967ish). Apparently located north of the Hill Top Steakhouse on the south bound side of Route 1. Anyone recall this restaurant?
Posted on 2/3/12
tp said:
does anyone remember the name of the restaurant before it was bertucci's on route one peabody, ma 1985-?
Posted on 2/14/12

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