Tiny little spot with a few tables. The people here sit around as though they've known each other forever, eating and chatting and throwing their arms across the back of their chairs the way they do at home. Quiet and cozy.

This place is always hopping. They have good Sicilian style pizza and lots of fresh homemade food to bring home for dinner (the Eastie version of the TV dinner). Some of the dishes can microwave in 2-3 minutes, while others need the oven. Spinelli's provides cooking and reheating suggestions for these meals. Stuffed shell dinners start at $5.95, and the Veal Parmesan is $9.50. Their calzones (mostly priced at $17.25 on a tray) are made with fresh ricotta and will serve 12. They make fresh raviollis and fusilli that you can purchase. Also have good desserts and Italian pastries. Miniature pastries are $12.60/box and you can have your favorite photo scanned on a cake.

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This restaurant is no bigger than your fist. They have 4 tables, which are typically covered in papergoods and waiting bags of hot food, so isn't really a sit-down kind of place. Most people coming through here are just stopping in to get their take out. They offer a couple of my favorites - Yu Shiang Beef ($9.25 large) and also Mongolian Beef ($9.50). You can choose food from a number of styles - Szechuan, Kung Bao, and surprisingly they even serve Pad Thai ($7.25).

Nice owners, one of the only Mexican owned and operated taquerias in Eastie. Some of the dishes are only served on weekends, like the Birra (stewed beef marinated in a special red sauce fo $9) or the Pozole (soup with hominy and tender pork). Burritos go for around $6, Tacos for $1.75 each, Enchiladas ($9) and yummy Huevos for $7.

Step out of the busy city streets, and step into this elegantly charming spot. This is a family owned restaurant. The mother makes everything from scratch, and these are her own recipes that she uses in her own kitchen at home. Her son owns the restaurant, and her daughter is the waitress. Tasteful artwork by local artist Janett Lazarus lines the walls, the decor is clean and simple, and this would be one of the few places in Day Square that I would take someone on a special date. They have traditional fare, such as Tipico Savadoreno, which is scrambled eggs with fried beans, sour cream, fried plantains and avocado for $5.99, Tacos for $1.75 each, Carne Asada ($9.50) and Salmon ($11). Homecooked meals in a classy setting and at a very good price. Wine menu available.

When you approach this from the street, it looks like a big fast food joint, but step inside and take a look around. Walk past the counter that's on your left and through a door, is an additional seating area that's just perfect, nothing like a fast food joint at all. Of course, if you want to grab and go that's all right. However, I wouldn't mind running some tunes on the jukebox and sitting for a comfortable and informal meal. This used to be the Clam Box (and Uncle Pete's before that), now this Salvadorean place is the local mainstay with pretty good pork and cheese pupusa (revueltas) with a nice crisp curtido and a basic thin tomatoey sauce. Tacos, plates, combos, breakfast and the immortal flan. Beer available, as well as delivery.

This is a beautiful restaurant with a dimly lit bar downstairs, and a Brazilian buffet on the cozy second floor. The entire buffet menu ($8.99) is available for delivery as well, and varies by day of the week, featuring dishes such as: beef tripe, chicken stew w/yucca, fish stew, and beef ribs. They also serve a full line of churrasco (barbecue) and Brazilian sides like yucca, fritas, farofa, arroz, salpicao, and plantains. If you've never been here, don't be shy about asking questions, as the employees are willing to show you around and make you feel comfortable. Serve yourself a dishful of yummy food, and sit by the window to watch the world below. Live music Thursdays and Fridays.

Homey little neighborhood restaurant, you can smell the fried food wafting out as you approach from outside. Guaranteed to make you step in on a cold day. Low lighting with a bar, tables, and booths create an atmosphere in which you are ready for the comfort food on the menu. Fresh Ravioli ($8.95), soups by the crock (Clam Chowder on Fridays) for less than $3, Baked Ham and Cheese with Fries for $6, or Lamb Tips cooked in an open hearth ($9). The thing that makes this place so typically East Boston is the Keno and horse racing on TV's mounted in the corners. Keno runs during limited hours, but the Baked Lobster Pie is available anytime.

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