Crystal K.
Yelp
When it's hot outside, there is nothing better than a juicy burger and an icy cold beer--unless it comes with a side of fried pickles, of course! Tucked away on an oft-forgotten stretch of Mass Ave. in North Cambridge is Joe Sent Me, a neighborhood bar long known for their exceptional burgers. A cozy bar greets you on the way in, and other high tables line up opposite, separating the bar from the regular tables. The dcor is fun and quirky, but the main feature is the five flat screen televisions that line the room--a great place to cheer on the Sox over a frosty glass of ale.
Harkening back to the times when speakeasies were referred to as "Joe Sent Me" (used as a password to gain entry); the bar offers up a decent selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks. Unfortunately, on a recent night that I was there, they had switched out the beer that I usually ordered for a blueberry offering and the two other options I wanted were unavailable, although they were still showing on the chalkboard above the bar. You wouldn't expect to find good cocktails in a bar of this nature, but surprisingly, their martinis are quite tasty. My favorite is the "Flirtini," a combination of Absolut, strawberry liqueur, and Grand Marnier, with cranberry and pineapple juices ($8). You can even order a variety of "Joe's Bowls," flavorful mixed drinks for two.
The menu consists primarily of appetizers you would expect to find at a bar: chicken quesadillas ($6.95), chicken fingers ($6.95), and mini cheese burgers ($7.95), but there are also a few surprises--for starters, the tasty Bazooka Joe's fried pickles ($6.50) which are the perfect combination of sour and crunchy. You can also sample some mediocre fried spring rolls ($6.95) or instead, opt for the best thing on the app menu, Cousin Joe's Kickin' Chicken Wings, in your choice of buffalo, BBQ, teriyaki, or Diablo (Hot). There are two sizes, the 10 or the 20 piece. If you go for the larger size, make sure you have a very healthy appetite--these wings aren't tiny!
There are salads for the more health conscious, but the size and the dressings are definitely not conducive for weight watchers. Still, they probably pack on fewer pounds than the other entrees, especially since you won't be chowing down on Joe's excellent fries. Check out the Cocamo Joe's Luau Salad ($7.95), one of the many Hawaiian themed items on the menu. The grilled teriyaki chicken on a bed of lettuce, with garden veggies, crispy wontons and grilled pineapple is sure to hit the spot. Just ask for your spicy Thai peanut dressing on the side.
Joe Sent Me is really known for their burgers but you can also choose between a variety of wraps, sandwiches and a handful of main entrees. The Bayou Joe's pulled pork sandwich has a nice smoky flavor. If you order the pulled pork wrap (which we ended up with because of a server mess-up--both are $7.95) you'll find it comes with coleslaw, which some people either love or hate. "Joe" Mamma's steak wrap ($8.95) is a fine alternative to a burger with tender grilled steak, sauted peppers, onions and mushrooms.
While it's nice that Joe Sent Me has a well-rounded menu, I have to wonder why anyone would even bother with the other entrees when the burgers and fries are so good? My favorite is the Hawaii Five -Joe ($8.50), loaded with pineapple, bacon, Swiss and teriyaki. Messy but it definitely falls into the finger-licking good category. The Joltin' Joe's Boilermaker ($7.95) is one of the best on the menu, a thick, juicy burger topped with BBQ ale sauce, bacon and cheddar. For a spicy twist, check out Joe Frazier's Blackened Blue ($7.95), Cajun-spiced and topped with bleu cheese.
Service is often spotty but given the nature of the establishment, it can be forgiven--to an extent. Waiting 30 minutes for appetizers to arrive only five minutes before the entre is annoying. When I was last there, tables didn't get cleared until a newly arrived customer had to ask for someone to clean them off. We were happy when the customers next to us left so we could switch away from our overly-wobbly table. Yet, all those annoyances didn't take away from the fact that we left fully, and completely, satiated.