Tag Archives: Sports Bars

Jerry Remy’s: Red Sox Nacho Nation Has A New President

1 Oct

Just when we think we have the Fenway area covered, a new nacho destination pops up like in a delicious version of Whack-A-Mole.  One day, Fenway– one day, we will conquer you! We had been saving Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill for our final review but the nacho description at our intended destination The Baseball Tavern looked so repulsive that we turned tail and fled. On to Jerry’s, where the TVs are big and the portions supposedly even bigger.

  • Appearance:  (9.2) Oh, Jerry! Lots of colors, guac on one side, sour cream on the other, and a big ol’ vat of deep red salsa. It was hard to wait long enough for a photo!
  • Quality of Ingredients: (8) For coming from a bar named after a local sports personality, these nachos were surprisingly humble.  From their description we expected standard bar nacho toppings but were greatly impressed with some surprisingly interesting ingredients.  The chili was delicious, with sizable chunks of juicy pork (or maybe beef?), and the thickly pureed salsa had a wonderfully spicy chipotle flavor.  As we gazed across the street at Fenway Cantina, fond memories of Guacaholics Anonymous arose, and while the guac on these nachos was no contest winner, it was certainly tasty.
  • Distribution of Toppings: (9)  Chili and tons of cheese were (almost) everywhere, leaving just enough naked chips to sample the delectable salsa.
  • Price: (7) At $13 with chili, and finished by two, these are a little high for Boston but not too out of place for Fenway.
  • Overall: 33.2.  Just when we thought it couldn’t be done…Game On! has some competition for the best ‘chos in Fenway!

Tavern in the Square Porter: Family Feud

3 Sep

As the mercury rose into the mid-90′s, Tavern in the Square seemed like an excellent place to gratuitously mooch AC…and to engage in our first patrol in our new ‘hood.  But quickly after settling in, our safe haven revealed a more sinister side.  The menu seemed….suspiciously familiar.  Flipping to the back, we realized that the Tavern in the Squares are related to both Joshua Tree and CitySide, which, to put it nicely, are not exactly two of our favorite places.  Despite assurances that the Taverns are a little more upscale, the description of Tavern’s buffalo chicken nachos was IDENTICAL to those found at CitySide– a 7/40 monstrosity that is to date, the worst-rated plate of nachos we have ever tasted.  To say the least, we were skeptical…

  • Appearance: (6) We immediately questioned the structural integrity.  Why piled so high? Why not a bigger plate?  Why so much sour cream? And why the lettuce?? So many question marks, and not enough exclamation points.
  • Quality of Ingredients: (7)Nothing particularly stood out, other than the chips, which were dense, crispy and salty.
  • Distribution of Toppings: (6) We’ve finally found a use for the dreaded shredded lettuce: it makes a barrier against the even more dreaded sour cream hat, and allow for easier removal of the offending condiment!  In other news, there was a lot of cheese but the the tall, packed mass of chips made it near impossible for it to get everywhere.  The chili was on top, making it hard to grab chips without taking them from the bottom and risking collapse, reminding us once again of Jenga!
  • Price: (7)Expectedly overpriced at $12, but still too big for us to finish.
  • Overall: 26/40.  Yet another average nacho.  You may be better off trying some of their more interesting apps.

Dear Tavern in the Square/Joshua Tree/CitySide’s parents: We are seriously disappointed with your offspring.  They are no longer invited over to play.

Muy Caliente: Watch! Lounge at Albuquerque Airport

15 Aug

Go to Santa Fe! There is simplistic beauty in their art, their culture, their history, and the mass local faux-pas of referring to things having “authentic Indian” influence. Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to the local cuisine, which is all proudly Mexican.

This includes the nearest international airport, Albuquerque, a modest 65 miles south. While sadly waiting alone in a sea of airport kiosks hocking “Indian” crafts, a traveler may drop into Watch! Lounge in terminal B. Not flying out of terminal B? Don’t worry, all four Albuquerque terminals meet at the same security checkpoint and are only about 10 gates long.

  • Appearance: (8.5) Bright red roasted tomatoes, banana-bright yellow cheese, and a hearty layer of deep green roasted jalapenos. The auxiliary condiments are in an anxious row of crucibles on a separate tray. Beautiful.
  • Quality of Ingredients: (9) When a chef goes to the trouble of making fresh salsa with a dash of cilantro, roasting the tomatoes and peppers, applying a separate spice to the juicy chicken, and leaving trace chunks of avocado in the guac for the diner’s pleasure, you know you’ve found someone serious about nachos. My only minor grumbling was that the guac could have used a little more saltiness.
  • Distribution of toppings: (6) Ooof! I hate to dole this out (especially since I couldn’t technically finish the first layer), but those brazen enough to get past layer one will encounter the true desert of New Mexico: dry tortilla chips. (*Horrified scream!*) However, if you count the salsas and guacamole served separate from the chips themselves, this was a full-coverage deal.
  • Price: (9) At $7.99 for airport nachos that could easily have satisfied the whole NP crew, these nachos are a delectable bargain.
  • Total: 32.5/40. It should be noted that I also ordered a mediocre (not terrible) margarita with these culinary triangles of delight, and the nachos actually distracted me from my beverage. It turned out to be complimentary, though, as my mouth was so scorched from the jalapenos that I had to drown my tastebuds in Mexican nectar before exiting the bar. Score one for the South West!
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