Old School Boston

Eagerman's Bakery, Natick, Mass.

2024-01-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Hey, let's drive a half hour to get some bagels!"

Normally, these words would have sounded ridiciculous but not so when traveling from Arlington to Natick for some bagels at Eagerman's Bakery on Route 9. This full service bakery made the very best, plus it was always a benefit to add to the order with some delicious turnovers or danishes.

Owner Eagerman's first named was Moe. That sat well with me as he had the name of on of the Three Stooges. The difference was, however, that Moe at Eagerman's was one savvy, visionary businessman who had the smarts to never hire a Curley, Larry or Shemp. All employees never beat on each other, worked at the highest level and seemed to be part of the community.

I don't exactly recall when Eagerman's closed but what I can tell you is that few places, locally, have produced such yummy bagels, to this very day!

It was certainly worth the half hour drive.

Who Remembers These Car Dealerships in Arlington, Mass.?

2023-03-31T07:13:00.001-07:00

Does anyone remember these car dealerships in Arlington, Mass.?

Arrow Pontiac (East Arlington)
Arlington Ford (Arlington center)
LeBert Bros. Lincoln Mercury (between Arlington High School and Brattle St.)
Hodgdon-Noyes Buick Pontiac GMC (near Arlington High School)
Time Oldsmobile (at the corner of Mass. Ave and Mill St.)

It seemed like Arlington had quite a few car dealerships back in the day. I remember that most of them hired good people that were part of the community -- not the cliched, aggressive hard-sell types.

As a member of the Arlington High School newspaper and yearbook, I remember the majority of these dealerships were quite supportive of s sponsoring those publications. My memory is a little foggy but I seem to recall my dad buying the phony wood paneled Mercury Marquis and Ford LTD station wagsons from LeBert Brothers and Arlington Ford, respectively. Ahh, the new car smell, the emerging presence of FM radio on the car stereo, the mystery drives to nowhere -- but somehow always involving Bates Farm ice cream in Carlisle (now Kimball Farm) -- when gas was 28 cents a gallon.

Mirak Chevrolet and Hyundai still remain and seem to be thriving, a real testimony to their long-time success.

Do you have any memories of these car dealerships in Arlington? Please commnet in the box below.

The 8-Sided Star Market Building in Woburn, Mass.

2023-03-06T13:05:00.001-08:00

The former Star Market in Woburn, Mass. always caught my attention. I mean, where could you find another octagon-shaped market in New England?

I always thought the eye-catching shape of this building allowed more merchandise to fill the interior. It sure seemed that way. This Star Market had everything and outperformed local markets like Purity Supreme, A&P, First National and Stop & Shop, in my humble childhood opinion.

Not that all Star Markets were this good, mind you. I generally found the others to be just Ok. Not the Woburn location, though, this was definitely the star destination of the chain.

Whole Foods eventually replaced this Star Market. I don't see the octagon shape anymore but I guess that's what happens when you cut corners. Sorry for that bad pun.

Bickford's Pancake House: Why Did It Go Away?

2023-03-06T12:54:00.003-08:00

Bickford's Pancake House never should have gone away.

For a chain, Bickford's felt more like a standalone locally-owned restaurant. I certainly liked Bickford's a lot better than Denny's in Lexington and the International House of Pancakes in Cambridge and Watertown. Bickford's served big breakfasts, huge and cheap, and rarely screwed up the orders. The carpeting was nice, the lighting just right and the space between tables and booths not too cramped. The Woburn location was usually the go-to Bickford's for me.

Bickford's had a great run in New England from the 1970s to, I think, the early 2000s. It was one of the few chain restaurants I actually liked. The whole experience always seemed like a big family outing. Bickford's wasn't one of those places where those going out to eat seemed miserable in a down-and-out kind of way and uncommunicative with loved ones.

A few weeks ago, I drove past Bickford's Grille in Woburn. I'm curious to try it out although I know the vibe won't be the same as Bickford's Pancake House.

Has anyone been to Bickford's Grille? Do you have any special memories of Bickford's Pancake House? Please comment in the box below!

Burlington Mall Memories from the 1970s and Beyond

2023-02-21T05:35:00.005-08:00

To many, the Burlington Mall in Burlington, MA, might look like any other mall, but it will always have a special place in my heart.

As a child in 1968, I saw farmland and cows grazing on dense, green grass replaced by this huge shopping structure that, unlike the North Shore Shopping Mall in Peabody, MA, was built with an indoor corridor leading to all stores. What a concept!

Also, the absence of cows might have meant a shortage of milk for me to consume, which made the Burlington Mall seem even more appealing. 1968 soon became the "summer of love" for me when it came to what the mall would bring: lots of toys, better air conditioning than back home, and a nice Chinese or cafeteria-style meal.

Thinking of the Burlington Mall stores through the years nearly brings tears to my eyes, which is ironic since sometimes as a child, the thought of shopping there for hours -- and not having the shopping revolve around us kids -- brought tears to my eyes. As an adult, I can now look back with fond memories of the slick clothing salesmen at Kennedy's trying to sell my Dad a cheap suit. I recall the revolving door of beloved restaurants that never fostered long-term relationships, including the Hot Shoppe with its cafeteria-style food that was almost as good as the school lunches. York's Steak House where the steak tasted like fish and the sauteed onions transformed that pungent allium food species into something good. The Pacific Hut where it was so dark that we nearly bumped into walls. The restaurant at the former Jordan Marsh department store where the one-of-a-kind bluberry muffins had priority over the actual food.

Through the years, Music Land provided entertainment as we enjoyed being spoken down to by the angry young hippie employees who were probably making $4.00 an hour and clearly didn't like our short haircuts. Or the fact that we liked David Gates and Bread and other musical groups that actually included melodies with the music. Spencer Gifts was full of hippie joy, joy buzzers and a few girls that were probably named Joy. It wasn't always a joyful place, however, with some mean-spirited and countercultural stuff that seemed incompatible with my David Gates and Bread albums.

I loved the Wurlitzer store including with the pencil thin mustache and Pee Wee Herman-type too small suit playing the greatest hits of Lawrence Welk tuneshe tuneson the organ.

The former Sears department store had Ted Williams as a spokesman, as well as golfer Johnny Miller, if my memory serves me correct. They lended some class to this huge store that we liked because they also had toys. My beloved late Uncle Lou shopped at the Sears in Rochester, NY, and always chose classy clothing. I tried to mimic him in that regard, but golf clothing on a 10-year-old kid just didn't seem to gel at the miniature golf course.

The aforementioned Jordan Marsh and Filene's (both, no longer there) served as the other anchors. We could always find parking on the Jordan Marsh side. This allowed us to walk through Jordan Marsh, ignore the merchandise and proceed to our preferred stores in the mall (gee, maybe by bypassing Jordan Marsh, we were solely responsible for that New England retail landmark going out of business?). We also didn't do much shopping at Filene's. It was nice to look at, but Marshall's in Bedford, MA, always had better deals for the same brand names. They still do, a real testimony to the concept that customers love a good bargain.

Lord and Taylor became the other Burlington Mall anchor in 1978. I remember buying a green winter jacket there in the early 90s, because it was heavily discounted. That green jacket lasted a long time, suggesting maybe I should give Lord and Taylor another try. Oh wait, never mind -- they closed.

The Burlington Mall even had a two-screen cinema and a Stop and Shop supermarket in the early days. We saw a few Disney movies at the cinema but never went to Stop and Shop. It just didn't seem right to buy your groceries at a mall (today many supermarkets, however, resemble a mall with toys, gifts, music CDs, hardware items, etc.).

What about Radio Shack where they recorded your life story on a sign-up sheet when you just wanted to buy a couple of batteries? Or, going to Tom McAns for shoes and worrying that one of your classmates would be there to laugh at your purple socks bought from Woolworth's? How about the now-closed Rainforest Cafe with all the rainforest "bells and whistles" in an incredibly realistic, yet hokey setting -- as well as serving pretty good food? The thunder storms, waterfalls and apes pounding their chests help create a jungle theme away from the jungle of shoppers buying so much more than we ever did growing up. I miss that place but, at the same time, really don't.

The Burlington Mall eventually built a second floor featuring many more specialty shops and a food court with a 775 person capacity. The Mall -- with more than 165 stores -- clearly became more upscale (perhaps best represented by Nordstrom's 2008 opening).

I still love going to the Burlington Mall. It's just different, though, with most stores from childhood gone and new trends intact.

Tying to navigate my way through cell phone talkers, people not fully or appropriately dressed, and those not looking where they are going (often the cell phone talkers) can be frustrating and seem superficial and shallow. I guess you just have to ignore the excesses and enjoy what the Burlingon Mall has to offer. There' still plenty to like there. The Christmas season particlarly stands out with lights, designs and decor that are well alisgned with a back in the day scene. I am generally mortified and nauseated all the development in the Boston suburbs that's threatening our peace of mind. The Burlington Mall is exempt from my concern of overdevelopment, however. After all, how can you knock a place that provided so much happiness and great memories as a child and seems to be doing the same for our current generation?

The Burlington Mall, 75 Middlesex Tpke, Burlington, MA 01803. Tel. (781) 272-8667 More Burlington memories: Lauriats Book Store
Memrories of Route 3A in Burlington

Lauriat's Books - Boston and the Suburbs

2023-02-14T05:21:00.004-08:00

Lauriat's Books served as the greatest chapter of my interest in books as a kid.

The Boston-based book chain that dated back to 1872 not only helped spark my interest in reading (ahh, the Curious George, Encycopedia Brown and Richard Scarry books!) but also offsetting the boring tendencies of mall shopping. You know, like shoe shopping at Tom McAn and Filene's and the cosmetic counter with the sales ladies in white lab coats (still don't get this one) at the former Jordan Marsh.

There was something about Lauriat's that made for a far more rewarding book shopping experience than Barnes and Noble and Amazon. They always seemed to have the books I was looking for and other gems not yet discovered. Additionally, Lauriat's created a nice layout without crowded aisles. They hired employees genuinely interested in books. The lighting and low-pile carpeting were pleasing and the overall store spotless and with a clean smell -- not that musty book odor. They must have vacuumed that place day and night, I had thought as a kid.

Unfortunately, Lauriat's liquidated (hey, nice alliteration!) in 1999, ending many a relationship between book lovers like me and a local book chain. Chains like Barnes and Noble and the former Borders crushed great book stores like Lauriat's. I think if Lauriat's survived, Amazon would have further dominated this smaller gem of a book chain.

It stinks how big business has taken over the smaller booksellers. Taking away Lauriat's was like making sure I'd never see a best friend again.

There's hope, however, as many local book shops have found a way to currently survive. I'm sure it's noit easy but I have all the respect and admiration in the world from these brave small business owners who take passion, pride of ownership and connection to the community rather than just making the big bucks.

I just wished Lauriat's was still part of that mix. It's too bad that chapter had to come to an end.

Crackers and Cheese Tray at Boston Area Restaurants

2023-01-18T05:10:00.003-08:00

There was something so wonderfully traditional about Boston area restaurants serving crackers and cheese before the main meal.

Some eateries added offerings of sticky and regular bread rolls and a relish tray to the mix, which was nice, but for me the taste of store-bought artificial tasting cheese and bland crackers could stand on their own.

Many times, this offering seemed to be served by very old ladies in colonial-like or old school waitress uniform apparel or high school kids with good manners and a healthy fear of their employer -- they wanted to keep their jobs and not disappoint the business, or mom and dad.

I know many traditional New England restaurants offered crackers and cheese but as the years go on, many of the names escape me. Places I can remember: The Commodore in Beverly, The Continental in Saugus(still in business, yay!), The Joppa Grill in East Bridgewater and I think The Cock N Kettle in Uxbridge.

Can you think of any more Boston area or New England restaurants that served crackers and cheese before the main course? If so, please comment in the box below.

Boston Area Bands from the 70s, 80s and 90s

2022-09-09T05:22:00.003-07:00

Aerosmith, Boston, The Cars and J. Geils Band might just be the biggest rock bands ever to come out of Boston -- and all finding huge success starting in the 1970s. Aerosmith and The Cars made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Boston and J. Geils, arguably, should have been inducted by now.

Oh, and what about Extreme, Pixies, 'Til Tuesday (featuring Aimee Mann), They Might Be Giants, New Kids on the Block and the New Edition? They just came to mind when writing this post -- all were, obviously, hugely successful groups!

Not to sound like one of those Time Life infomercials, but who can also remember some of the brilliant solo singers that came out of Boston -- and the rest of Massachusetts -- like James Taylor and Donna Summer? How about Billy Squier?

But wait, that wasn't all: Boston spawned a further wealth of bands and solo singers from back in the day. Many became regulars in the Boston club scene. Here are some, sure to bring you good memories depending upon your musical taste...

The Lemonheads (featuring Evan Dando)
Buffalo Tom
The Del Fuegos
Mission of Burma
The Drive
Juliana Hatfield
The Stompers
Throwing Muses
Barrence Whitfield and the Savages
Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers
Pousette-Dart Band
Duke and the Drivers
The Fools
Jon Butcher Axis
Letters to Cleo
The Atlantics
The Lyres
The Dresden Dolls
James Montgomery Band
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
Swinging Steaks
Tribe
Robin Lane and the Chartbusters

Do you have pesonal memories/stories to tell of these bands and solo singers? What bands and other musicians did I miss? You can join the conversation by commenting in the box below.

Igo's Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass.

2022-04-27T04:53:00.002-07:00

Hmmm, where to go after after buying a pair of Stride Rite shoes and cordoroy pants from Filene's, a button up shirt that wasn't flame retardant from Woolworth's, and a Boston Bruins cardigan sweater from Zwicker's Sporting Goods in Arlington?

Why, a night out on the town with my parents at Igo's Restaurant in Cambridge, of course!

What a splendid way to show off my elite clothing choices and impress Igo's owners, staff and customers.

The only problem, though: It was so dark in the Igo's dining room that no one could have probably seen these latest fashion styles.

That was ok, however. Going out to Igo's was a special treat, a privilege and a chance to see how the hoi polloi lived. Well, from the eyes of an eight-year old typically eating at Howard Johnson's, Burger Chef and Chicken Delight.

At Igo's, the grand entrance looked like fancy marble. The dining rooom had this certain elegance. The waistaff seem subdued and professional yet courteous and friendly. I put on my Sunday best behavior at this upscale restaurant and made sure not to discuss my favorite Three Stooges episodes with the waitresses.

The menu featured dinners distant from Swanson's and Stouffer's. Baked stuffed lobster, roast prime rib of beef, broiled swordfish, baked stuffed Lousiana shrimp and broiled prime filet mignon highlighted a very fancy menu. Intererestingly enough, Igo's could also tone it down with some more familiar dishes like roast turkey dinner, fried clams, fried boneless chicken, burgers and broiled pork chops. They also offered... yuk... calf's liver. that putrid dish was somewhat improved, however, with accompanying bacon.

If Igo's was around today, it wouldn't seem quite as fancy. I think in retrospect, this Porter Square restaurant struck the perfect balance between pleasing both the uppeer and working classes in the diverse Cambridge neighborhoods.

And also eight-year olds like me wearing Stride Rite shoes and cordoroy pants from Filene's, a button up shirt that wasn't flame retardant from Woolworth's, and a Boston Bruins cardigan sweater from Zwicker's Sporting Goods in Arlington!

5 Gone But Not Forgotten Burlington, Mass. Memories

2022-04-26T05:42:00.004-07:00

Who remembers these Burlington, Mass. memories?

1. The cow field right off Route 128 at the Burlington Mall's Macy's location. Hard to believe but true! Born in 1962, my recollection of that field was probably around 1966.

2. A bit farther down the road from the Middlesex Turnpike was Betty Crocker's Pie Shop. Named after the famous fictional character used for food and recipes, this chain went beyond a chain. The pies truly tasted homemade and they were always well-stocked -- even during the Christmas season.

3. Restaurants have come and gone at the Burlington Mall, but one that sticks out is The Magic Pan. This pleasant and innovative restaurant chain specialized in a great variety of crepes. In true 1970s convenience-style (as opposed to 2022 convenience style as I was reminded about the following from Wikipedia!), the Magic Pan featured an automated system to make crepes at a crepe station. This looked groundbreasking back in the day when we worked off typewriters, had no remote control for the TV and dialed up family and friends through a rotary phone. But I digress. The crepe station consisted of a motorized conveyor that heated metal pans while an attendant dipped the bottom of the pans in the crepe batter for uniform coating. That attendant would then turn the pans upside down while on the gas flame conveyor as a means for the thin crepes to cook on the bottom of a greased pan facing upwards. The conveyor -- a gas flame heated circular “wheel” -- slowly turned and held eight pans maximum at one time. The result: great-tasting crepes!

4. On Route 3A north past the town common: Almy's, a clothing store much in the vein of Marshall's and TJ Maxx. Almy's had a friendlier, more low-key tone than Marshall's and TJ Maxx and almost never disappointed with a nice variety of name-brand clothing at very low prices. We used to live in back of Almy's -- no, not the back of the store but through the woods and into a modest neighborhood with small ranches. Shaw's suoermarket anchors that shopping center now.

5. The Burlington News. Many of you might remember this independently-owned mom and pop newspaper that served as a viable alternative to the Burlington Times Union. Fredi and Peter Blume owned the paper and I was their assistant editor from 1984 to 1985 -- fresh of of college as a journalism grad. I started at 10K with no benefits and pretty much wrote the paper. I also delivered the paper to local businesses. Wow, talk about overall experience! I really enjoyed working with Fredi and Peter -- very nice folks!

6. How about Victoria Station on the Middlesex Turnpike? I loved that place. Yes, it was a chain but the railroad themed steakhouse offered a comfortable, fun environment and the steaks rivaled populist steakhouse restaurants like the Hilltop and Valle's in Saugus. They were definitely better, as well, than the budget steakhouses like York's, Ponderosa and Bonanza. Victoria Station's prime rib was amazing! Although the chain filed for bankruptcy in 1986, the Salem, Mass. location stayed open until 2017. Incredible to think that a railroad-themed steakhouse with American-inspired roots now continues as a restaurant chain in Malaysia!

What are some of your Burlington memories? I look forward to your feedback in the comments box below.

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Buzzy's Fabulous Roast Beef, Boston, Mass.

2022-04-25T05:06:00.003-07:00

Located on Cambridge St. under the Charles Street Train Station and next to the Charles Street jail, Buzzy's Fabulous Roast Beef seemed to be open at all hours. This outdoor, order-at-the window food stand was best known for its heaping roast beef sandwiches, french fries, onion rings and curt, brusque "What do you want pal?" service. Buzzy's attracted drunks, sober late night owls (in the minority), Massachusetts General Hospital staff, refined Beacon Hill types showing their alter egos, and other purveyors of the best in greasy food.

Local comedians abused Buzzy's many times in their stand-up routines. I remember one comedian (the name escapes me) saying that Buzzy's used to throw its food over the wall to feed Charles Street jail prisoners -- and the prisoners threw it right back!

Buzzy's Fabulous could have very well contributed to higher traffic at the Mass General Hospital cardiac unit, but I remember it as a beloved place from youth. Granted, I never went there much (even as a nearby Suffolk University student), but just the sight of this bustling, old-fashioned outdoor food stand made me feel good -- from the comfort food aromas to the undeniable presence of a local business succeeding.

Rotisserie Chicken from the Ararat Restaurant in Watertown, Mass.

2022-04-24T08:16:00.003-07:00

Rotissserie chicken was a big trend during the 80s and 90s but, let's face it, most came across as either too greasy or dried out. It was definitely fowl, either way.

The Ararat Restaurant in Watertown, Mass., however, offered a superior version of rotisserie chicken at its former humble mom and pop storefront on Arlington St. Owners and husband and wife, Seta and Avedis Najarian came up with this one-of-a-kind barbecue-meets-Middle-Eastern-style chicken that yieled a tender, flavorful taste with a hint of lemon in every bite. The chicken was never greasy nor dried out and a serving of accompanying homemade garlic sauce and hummus helped elevate this meal to the greatest chicken dish I have every tasted. No sorbitol, MSG and other bad chemicals in this chicken!

When working at the U.S. Army Materials Command and then Army Research Lab down the road, I would frequently come here for lunch. Seta and Avedis were so nice and always made me feel at home. They had tremendous work ethic and offered good value for the money. It was a pleasure to support this business. That the food was homemade and delicious made the experience that much better.

The Ararat served some great falafels, shawerma, losh kebab, lahmejune and kibbe and other Middle Eastern dishes but I will always remember that amazing rotisserie chicken. I hope someday someone can duplicate that dish but, so far, no luck.

On a side note, I once saw former WBZ-TV Channel 4 meteorologist Bruce Schwoegler order some take home food here. He was extrmely pleasant to all and very excited about his impending dinner!

Out of all the Old School Boston places, I think I miss the Ararat the most. They were the nicest owners I had ever met and served my favorite dish of all time, anywhere, with that wonderful chicken meal.

The Metro Deli, Boston, Mass.

2022-04-22T12:45:00.004-07:00

Other than a few fellow Suffolk University alum, no one else I know seems to have remembered the Metro Deli on Cambridge St. in Boston.

How could it be that virtually not a soul has any recollection of this former deli on one of the busiest streets in Boston? The world may never know.

While my classmates were drinking too much beer and eating stale popcorn downstairs at nearby The Red Hat, I took a wiser, more cerebral path by enjoying many Thanksgiving-style turkey dinners at the Metro. It was so delicious each and every time! The Metro served this dinner and other meals in huge portions at low prices. It's amazing that few cash-strapped classmates didn't join me to take advantage of all this delicious food. Plus, the walk back to class burned off all those calories with that grueling quarter mile walk back to the Sawyer Building.

The Metro Deli was basically your classic old school deli with an ample amount of enployees working the kitchen and counter to serve the usual suspects like pastrami, corned beef, chicken noodle soup and potato knishs. Ahh, the memories of this outstanding Viking cuisine!

One other interesting footnote: Everyone who worked here seemed to look like comedian Richard Lewis. I dob't know why.

Does anyone else remember the Metro Deli? Please tell me it wasn't my imagination and not a bad dish from the Sun Tuey that made me delusional in thinking this restaurant existed.

Discoing Back to the Chateau De Ville in Saugus, Framingham and Randolph, Mass.

2022-04-22T05:43:00.002-07:00

Does anyone remember the oversized grand ballroom with a huge chandelier and curved staircase at the Chateau de Ville -- a place where people loved to "disco" and later tell either totally fake or completely true stories of their miserable high school proms?

I seem to remember a Kiss-108 presence at the Saugus location with the late, great Sunny Jo White and Disco Vinny Peruzzi. I think the Cheatau de Ville eventually changed its name to The Palace -- which it wasn't -- some time in the 1990s before closing in 2004.

Yes, many people loved the Chateau de Ville but it just wasn't for me. At an age when "Saturday Night Fever" and "Funkytown" ruled, I preferred good conversation in small groups, long walks on the beach and listening to David Gates and Bread. I also liked eating Wonder Bread while watching "Perry Mason."

I always wondered if "Chateau de Ville" was French for "Unbearable experience in a nightclub." It just wasn't my scene. "Clubbing" to me, was watching episodes of the Flintstones that featured that secret club called "the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes" where the "Grand Poobah" ruled.

Ultimately, my favorite part of the Chateau DeVille experience was going out for old school Chinese food afterwards.

Full of Bull Roast Beef, Saugus, Mass.

2022-04-22T05:19:00.002-07:00

Route 1 in Saugus, Mass. used to feature so many fun, interesting and, mostly, great restaurants, bars and other food stops including The Ship, Weylu's, Hilltop Steak House, Augustine's, Karl's Sausage Kitchen, the Red Coach Grill, Valle's Steak House, Town Lyne House, Godfried's Deli, the Blue Star Lounge, Pierro's Italian restaurant and the Diamond Head. All that's left today on Route 1 that we really enjoy are Prince Pizzeria with its epic Leaning Tower of Pizza structure and delicious pizza, and the Kowloon (which might be changing in some form in the near future).

But wait, there is one more memory: Full of Bull Roast Beef. This humble little roadside restaurant with the eye-catching sign of a mean-looking but depressed bull revealed (his head hung down low), inside, walls of license plates on the wall and some of the best roast beef sandwiches and onion rings imagineable. Back in the day and to this very day, Kelly's Roast Beef at Revere Beach, to me, set the standard for the best roast beef and onion rings but Full of Bull was every bit as good.

The restaurant's name also gave us a chuckle as we were approaching an age when we knew what that meant.

I am not sure exactly when Full of Bull closed but McDonald's eventually took over this location. Yep, another segue into cokie cutter land on Route 1.

We'd love to hear your personal reflections, perspectoives and stories on Full of Bull. Please feel free to comment below.

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Does Anyone Remember Hogan's Heros Sub Shop in Cambridge, Mass.?

2022-04-22T04:40:00.004-07:00

Somebody correct me if getting this wrong but I seem to remember a sub shop named Hogan's Heros at the Fresh Pond Rotary in Cambridge, Mass. Clearly,this was a sub shop using a clever wordplay variation of the TV series, "Hogan's Heroes." I think its location is now home to Ma Magoo's -- another sub shop using a somewhat clever wordplay variation of the cartoon series, "Mr. Magoo."

Does anyone have memories of Hogan's Heros? Search engines come up with little. If not, that's ok -- I can check with Werner Klemperer and Mr. Magoo to see if they have any recollection although the latter one might be a challenge as he was a cartoon chraracter. Oh wait, and never mind on Werner Klemperer. He died in 2000. OK, enough levity.

So, my question then bounces back to you: What do you remember about the Hogan's Heros sub shop?

Jo Jo Kincaid on F-105 (WVBF)

2022-03-18T05:20:00.002-07:00

Jo Jo Kincaid had to be one of the most underrated late 70s top 40 disc jockeys in Boston. I remember him best at F105, otherwise known, to this very day, at WVBF-FM, 105.7.

Possessing a classic, live-wire rapid-fire rock announcer voice, Kincaid could lead in and out of a song as good as the very best personalities. He could also expertly tell a corny joke, interact with callers (usually contests) and say "The new F105!" with such enthusiasm that it brought listeners like me over from rivals like WRKO and WMEX. His phrase "Jo Jo cookin'" truly reflected the fast-paced momentum of his show.

After F105, Kincaid spent time at Kiss 108 in Boston where the highly-rated station gave him better visibility. Well deserved! But I rememember Kincaid most prominently at F105 as I preferred top 40 radio over disco and dance-oriented tunes.

Apparently, you and I weren't the only ones recognizing Kincaid's significant top 40 radio DJ skills. Wikipedia states that "In October 2010 radio personality Howard Stern spent a full segment fawning over Kincaid's radio skills based on a 1987 video aircheck from KKLQ-FM (San Diego, Calif.) he saw on YouTube." How many of you remember Kincaide's stint of F105?

Bishop's in Lawrence, Mass.

2022-03-18T04:33:00.003-07:00

During its heyday, Bishop's in Lawrence, Mass. served the best Middle Eastern food and French fries in New England.

That's right, Middle Eastern food and French fries. The lamb kabobs, hummus, babba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves and, yes, perfectly cooked, shoestring french fries had no rival. The atmosphere was memorable too, with, as someone described, a dining room that resembled an aircraft carrier. Bishop's always had amazing service, with many "career" waiters -- the professionalism showed. We never thought Bishop's would close, but it did, and we had to find another restaurant to call a tradition for a revered annual family birthday celebration.

Finnerty's Country Squire, Cochituate, Mass.

2022-03-18T04:18:00.003-07:00

Finnerty's Country Squire closed in 2005, leaving behind wonderful dining memories of a large, traditional New England restaurant that pleased many for generations. Finnerty's was the type of place where one could feel good to dress in their Sunday best for a family meal or larger function and never walk away disappointed at the straightforward chicken, steak and seafood selections.

With Finnerty's closed, it brings up the retrospective question, "Why didn't we go there more?" The food was consistently solid, management ran a tight ship, and the slightly out-of-date country decor, too-long hallway, the spacious dining rooms, wall-to-wall carpeting and relaxed New England country feel brought one back to simpler times. The "business closed" sign in front of the door for many years read like an indication of "It's a Wonderful Life," where cold Pottersville had taken over charming Bailey Falls.

Although we didn't dine there much, Finnerty's will always have a place in our hearts as an integral part of New England dining.

Old-time tradition seems to slipping away from the New England dining scene, and that's sad.

Going Out To North Shore Chinese Restaurants With My Grandma

2022-01-22T05:18:00.001-08:00

Diamond Head restaurant, Saugus, Mass. Source: https://critiki.com/

My grandma, who lived in Lynn and then Peabody, Mass., loved to go out with us to Chinese restaurants on the North Shore. Not the fancy, fusion, gourmet types that we see today but the old school restaurants specializing in pu pu platters, General Gau's chicken, chicken lo main and, often gaudy and tacky décor.

Some of the restaurant names escape me (there was a good one on Main St. in Peabody) but here is what I remember: Tiki Lau in Salem, the Diamond Head and Weylu's in Saugus and Dave Wong's China Sails at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers. Weylu's and the Diamond Head might have been the most gaudy with their décor. Dave Wong's gained popularity as a local chain and with a really nice owner. Tiki Lau, located in a strip mall, didn't have the glitz but might have served up the best tasting food of the bunch.

Whatever choice, going out to eat at these Chinese restaurants made her happy. She was alone, at that time, and just getting out of her apartment was much needed. Just to see her spontaneously smile in these restaurants for no reason except just being with us and enjoying one of her favorite kinds of food -- well, if she was happy, we were happy!

Do you remember these Chinese restaurants up on the North Shore? Do you have any other favorites in this area that are no longer with us? Please share your memories in the comment box below -- we'd love to hear some of your choices and any stories that go with it.

Avery's Electronics in Arlington, Mass.

2022-01-20T05:26:00.008-08:00

Well before Best Buy and all the big box stores -- and a time when a local electronics store could peacefully co-exist with Lechmere Sales -- Avery's Electronics in Arlington, Mass. was the place to go for radios, televisions, cassette recorders, eight track players, etc. You name it, they had it within the store's modest square footage... Zenith, Hitachi, RCA, Magnavox, General Electric, Emerson, all the name brands.

Avery's didn't have the high tech stereo sheen of Tweeter nor the standardized chain store presence of Radio Shack but what they did possess was a genuine, authentic neighborhood store presence that proved to be just as important as the products they sold. I remember a humble and kind long-time employee named Mr. Hatch who, like all other employees at Avery's, would go out of his way to educate the customer on products and take the time to get to know those who entered the store.

This Arlington Heights store also gained a fine reputation for repairs and selling parts and supplies. They knew their stuff and continuously rolled up their sleeves to get down to work for us, the customer!

No pressure, no hype, no signing your life away to buy some batteries, none of that dreaded "I'm cooler than all of you" type attitude -- it was almost like one neighbor helping out another. Come to think of it, Mr. Hatch and his family lived a few blocks from where I grew up!

Many modern day electronic stores have music blaring or some combination of loud sounds that collectively add up to a source of irritation. Avery's seemed more quiet and gentle where the only sounds going on were testing a product and friendly conversation between staff and customers.

I remember my dad buying me a short wave radio at Avery's. I think it might have been a Grundig. That radio took me all over the world but, ultimately, at the end of the day I would always come home to the embrace of a warm, close-knit community like Arlington and stores like Avery's that were part of that community-based fabric.

Plus, Avery's was located right next to the now-closed Nicola Pizza. What a great combination -- buying something at Avery's and then stopping at Nicola to bring back home some huge slices of delicious Italian-style pizza!

I am not sure when Avery's closed or what took it over. Additionally, there's little to be found on the Internet about Avery's which seems strange because it was one of the most popular, well-established businesses in Arlington for decades.

If you have special memories of Avery's, please comment in the box below and we'll build a collection of stories, memories and anecdotes of this special local business that once graced Arlington!

Red Coach Grill Memories

2022-01-14T05:12:00.003-08:00

How many of you remember the Red Coach Grill restaurant chain? How many of you know that it was owned by Howard Johnson's?

That's right, the Red Coach Grill started in 1936 in Wayland, Mass. (now known as the independently-owned and operated Coach Grill) with Howard Johnson's taking over in 1937 to create a local chain that would eventually expand to more than 30 restaurants. On a side note, Howard Johnson's owned the Ground Round chain but I'd have to be a clown to talk about that one (you see, the Ground Round had clowns for entertainment; ok, bad joke).

The Red Coach Grill was like Howard Johnson's with a bowtie -- that is, with more of an elegant look and slightly upscale menu. You wouldn't find 28 flavors of ice cream, an orange roof or waitresses dressed in vintage checkered uniforms. Instead, the Red Coach Grill dimmed the lights and offered cushy and comfortable seating at black booths. The pine-paneled walls, semi-circular bar, fieldstone fireplaces, plush wall-to-wall carpeting and beamed ceilings added to the cozy ambiance. Outside looked inviting, too, with a rustic, shingled red roof and log paneling on the exterior, as well as a classy sign out front with old English font and a picture of a horse drawn coach.

The steak and seafood menu included some meals fit for a king or a queen -- or a suburbanite with some room left on the credit card. The food was generally excellent -- just as good if not better than some local restaurants with high opinions of themselves. Diners could opt for the filet mignon, boiled live lobster or broiled swordfish or go for something more simple like New England clam chowder, char-broiled sirloin steak, broiled schrod, ham steak, or breaded veal cutlet. I remember the apple pie with vanilla ice cream to be quite good, as well.

I remember passing by Red Coach Grill locations in Hyannis, Saugus, Framingham, Middleboro and Wayland, Mass., as well as one in Lake George, N.Y. The only one we went to was in Hyannis at the rotary. In retrospect, that turned out to be the best choice as the other towns didn't have oceans beach to enjoy after the meal!

What memories do you have of the Red Coach Grill?

Putt Putt Mini Golf Near Shoppers World in Framingham, Mass.

2022-01-13T05:09:00.001-08:00

Not all retro memories of things to do in the Boston area provided joy.

Putt Putt Mini Golf, near the older version of Shoppers World shopping center in Framingham, Mass., successfully gave me that misery.

This miniature golf course offered no opportunity to hit the ball through or around a talking whale, barber shop pole, lighthouse, windmill, covered bridge, koi pond or historic Massachusetts building. Putt Putt, on the other hand, just featured stretches of angled greens designed to frustrate and simultaneously bore us. It was no fun scoring a 140 with no tacky structures.

Plus, the par was two for every hole. That would have been the recreational equivalent of taking a physics course in elementary school. I don't think even Pythagoras could have figured out this course!

I suppose the challenging greens at Putt Putt could have helped my real golf game but I was only eight. The closest thing I came to real golf was wearing a Johnny Miller golf shirt from Sears. What a downer to have a mini golf hole right in front of you and take five shots to get it done!

As Dean Wormer once said in Animal House, "There will be no fun of any kind." That's the way I felt at Putt Putt.

Disclaimer: You will see on the score card that we all did pretty well in this round of Putt Putt Mini Golf. Believe me, that was an unexplainable abberation that I should have alerted Ripley's Believe It Or Not! to -- that is, the exception to the rule of generally playing horribly at this mini golf course!

A Panorama Tour of the Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Mass.

2022-01-10T06:28:00.006-08:00

While cleaning our basement a few days ago, I came across a booklet entitled, "A Panoramic Tour of Hilltop Steakhouse." It made my day. I loved that place, as I am sure you did, too.

Throughout this post, I will include the pages from that booklet. May it bring back special memories for you!

The former Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Mass. seems to take top mention in traditional and social media posts and articles asking readers which restaurants they miss most in Massachusetts or New England.

It all makes perfect sense. From 1961 to 2013, the Hiltop Steak House immediately appeared larger than life on Route 1 with its myriad fiberglass cows out front and the cartoonish neon cactus sign almost 70-feet tall, as well as a parking lot accommodating 1,000 cars.

The fun, western-themed wall memorabilia and spacious dining rooms with names like Dodge City, Kansas City, Sioux City, Virginia City, Santa Fe and Carson City on two floors expertly towed the line between tacky and lovable. The 20,000 sq. ft. restaurant, which could accommodate nearly 1,500 customers, often became filled to full capacity -- thus validating media reports that the Hilltop evolved into one of the busiest restaurants in the world. Thank goodness the two walk-in meat chests behind the scenes could hold over 1,500 loins! Additionally, the Hilltop featured a separate butcher shop that seemed as popular as the main restaurant.

The Hilltop Steak House -- the brainchild of butcher Frank Giuffrida -- represented the true American Dream with a small business success story as big as the steaks (and drinks) served.

. Oh, and those steaks... the sirloin (starting at 18 ounces!), filet mignon and tenderloin. Magnificent in a delicious, unpretentious and straightforward way! The Hilltop served those dishes and other selections in big portions and at affordable prices.

Locals and travelers also loved the abundantly-served iceberg lettuce salads, broiled half chicekn, pork chops, broiled burgers and broiled halibut steak. Many considered the baked stuffed lobster pie as good as the steaks -- served with plenty of tender lobster and enough breading and butter to make the experience even that much better.

The Hilltop did things its own way, not accepting reservations or credit cards. The wait could be slightly uncomfortable in the long, crowded indoor waiting area out front. Many chose to head to the bar while waiting and became quite soused in the process -- often, seemingly, some big guy with a square head and his aggressive wife/girlfriend. I don't know why -- just an observation.

But I digress. There will never be another Hilltop Steak House. How could there be? For more than 50 years, the Hilltop had a great ride with a substance (the food) and style (the wonderfully exaggerated decor and design) that resulted in a one-of-a-kind restaurant and tourist attraction. Rare is it that a restaurant becomes a household name but the Hilltop fit that description.

It's a sad feeling knowing that the Hilltop Steak House will most likely never return as the restaurant we once knew and loved. Bur we have those memories and they can be embraced, forever.

I look forward to hearing about your personal reflections and perspectives on the Hilltop in the comment box below!

WMEX 1510 AM Boston -- Then and Now

2022-01-05T05:47:00.005-08:00

WRKO AM 680 received most of the attention as a premier Boston Top 40 radio station in the 1960s and 1970s but WMEX at 1510 on the AM dial was every bit as good, if not better.

Disc jockeys like Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsburg, John H. Garabedian, Larry Justice, Bud Ballou, Tom Allen, King Arthur Knight, Ron Robin, Dick Summer, Bill Lawrence, Gary DeGraide, Jerry Gordon and Mel Miller collectively comprised a distinct, dedicated and dazzling sound that embodied the very best of top 40 radio. On WMEX, they were known as "The Good Guys," and that they were!

Wow, those names... now that was that a Hall of Fame-caliber DJ lineup! Especially Ginsburg and Garabedian who gained national attention for helping pioneer the art and science of this wonderful radio format -- and Summer who gained fame as a long-time radio personality in New York City, N.Y.

This is when DJs sounded like DJs. This is when if a song sounded good, radio stations like WMEX played it. The jingles, sound effects, jokes, the echoey sound and, in general, a work of love from those who loved to work presented an eternally remembered, respected and revered radio format. It didn't matter if the AM dial produced static and other forms of bad reception -- the top 40 format was more than well received by hundreds of thousands in the Boston area and in other major markets.

Too bad this fabulous format is gone. Oh wait... aircheck... no, it isn't! WMEX returned to the airwaves a few years ago as a top 40 station on its original 1510 AM frequency and has recreated the sound so authentically that it is capable of giving overwhelmingly warm memories and meaningful goosebumps to the retro listener.

As a gift from the radio Gods, Larry Justice is part of the current day lineup. Larry is in his 80s but hasn't lost a step, sounding as good as ever in his "Halls of Justice" radio show. The twinkle in his voice, the upbeat, positive delivery, his ability to interact so well with other station personalities and an uncanny, inuitive knack of leading his voice into and out of a song played is the stuff that radio legends are made of.

The current day WMEX lineup doesn't end there, however, with seasoned pros like Paul Perry (really and truly, the prototype of a classic radio personality with a golden voice), Jeff Lawrence and Jimmy Jay bringing their established excellence, radio and music knowledge, and passion to the airwaves. Ben Rabinovitz is more a newcomer compared to his on-air co-workers but definitely has the voice and personality that would have fit in perfectly at the old WMEX. Here's hoping Ben and other relative newcomers like him can pave the way for a return to future radio greatness here and across the USA!

Back to Mr. Justice: His presence on the airwaves brings back personal memories that inexplicably, somehow resurface to the forefront of the mind after all these years. Exhibit A example: I remember my mom and dad driving us into Boston on a snowy winter's day just before Christmas. My dad, a huge model train afficiado, rushed into Eric Fuchs model trains shop to pick up some accessories. While waiting, we listened to WMEX on the car radio in our Mercury Marquis station wagon with the phony wood paneling. We heard the beginning of The Carpenter's Merry Christmas Darling, which, on its own, was enough to warm the heart and soul. What a great song, to this very day! Larry Justice, however, made the song that much better, however, by somehow capturing the spirit of the season and that classic Christmas composition in his voice leading up to the first words conveyed in Ms. Carpenter's wonderfully expressive voice. It was like his voice became part of the song -- part of the overall experience at that moment and proof that a skilled disc jockey's voice can be as lyrical as a song. To me, that moment defined and inspired my love for local radio.

Now all that might seem like nothing within the pop culture side of our lives that are constantly fed with glitz, bombast and a promise of the next big thing. After all those years, however, trends, gimmicks and other contrived marketing plans fade as much as a radio station signing off for the night. But those moments mean everything as the simple things in life somehow always return to the center stage of our hearts and souls. The old WMEX had that affect on me and the new "old" version in the same way -- only the latter is wonderfully broadcast in the given moment.

Ultimatey, our past memories and the joy of living in the moment fortify our blessed presence on earth. The memories can never be taken away. We can take comfort and meaning in the moment as an expression of peace, tranquility, grace, gratitude and enthusiasm for the soul.

Thank you, WMEX, for giving us the best of both worlds with your notable past and greatly enjoyed current presence on the airwaves. I am most grateful!