There's not much in the immediate area along the lines of small sit-down restaurants. I wouldn't say it's worth making a special trip for this cafe-style joint, but it's a decent place and they don't mind if you bring the kids. Reasonable prices, good food, and busy on the weekends. Beer and wine available.

This homey little spot is a great place to take your friends and family. Lovely Italian details like Aurricchio (fine provolone) on their DiParma Proscuitto sub ($12), fresh ricotta and anchovies on linguine ($13), and the sherry wine sauce on the Veal Saltimboca ($22) make this something more than you might expect. Finish up with a cappuccino and go home happy. This merchant is a participant in the Boston Community Changeprogram, which donates a portion of your purchase to a charity of your choice.

Family restaurant located next to (and connected by a hallway) Kiosco Sabor De Mi Tierra Bar, with the best Tipico plate you'll ever have. The plate is called the "Traditional Colombian Dish" and has the following things: a fried egg, stewed beans, steak, sausage, pork and salad. Yum! Everyone is super friendly and they have some of the prettiest wait staff anywhere, whether on the bar or restaurant side.

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.

Family-owned and operated, this tiny hole in the wall is a friendly little place with a few tables inside a small room, looking out upon the busy streets. Authentic Vietnamese (not Americanized) food: Pho ($7), vermicelli bowls ($6.50 to $7), lemongrass, spring rolls ($4) and duck salad ($6-$11). Definitely a must!

There are some cool ethnic places in the immediate vicinity, and this strikes me as a very nice family owned, home-grown kind of place. Seriously authentic dishes, like Pancita (tripe and cow's feet soup) for $7 and Tacos with the option of beef tongue or goat meat fillings ($1.50 each) are more than your typical south of the border fare. Nourish yourself with the Mole Poblano ($8.50), fill your hungry belly with Bistec Encebollado, or share the double Chabela (shrimp/octopus cocktail) for $18 with a friend. Locals come to get their huevos rancheros fix.

Now this is the place you want to go for a party. Tons of exotic drinks with great names like the Volcano (for 2) and the Sombrero. You won't leave this place without a smile on your face. South of the Border entrees will make your mouth water so that you'll grab another cold bone. Pork Rind with Plaintains ($6), Salmon with Cilantro and Tomatillo Sauce ($13.75), Typical Columbian Grilled Steak Plate ($11.75) and Tacos ($2.25 each). Kids can enjoy chicken wings, quesadillas and tacos and a great atmosphere. Don't forget to finish it all off with some Flan ($3). Keno and lottery available.