Kelly's Diner

The inattentive service and lack of welcoming hospitality soured what could’ve been a decent breakfast. Most likely will not return due to poor treatment. Food: I did really enjoy the linguica sausage but the rest of the plate was pretty plain when considering the price point. Service: Past the friendly greeting when we came in, we felt like unvalued patrons. There wasn’t a wait to get seated but the waitress still took over 5 minutes to come to our table. When they did it felt like they were trying to use as little time as possible with us. We weren’t offered waters or refills on our coffee and the waitress turned her back on us as I was still talking to her asking for the check. This is far from the hospitality I was hoping for from such a long standing restaurant. What hurt the most was seeing friendly prompt service all around us for other patrons. Atmosphere: The restaurant interior was clean and suited the old diner vibe, but the exterior was seen better days. Unfortunately, it could only have been made charming by friendly staff and warm service which we did not receive.

The food came fast tast good and fresh. Nice place to stop during the week because is less crowded. Definitely a place to come back.

Really cool spot to visit. Loved all of the waitresses and staff. Definitely that downhearted Massachusetts feel. Our waitress with the blue eyes, think she might have been part italian, just gorgeous, was so friendly and amazing at her job.

Banging good experience overall! My omelette was absolutely delicious. They were out of basil for the tomato basil special, but they were super accommodating and let me swap in another veggie at no extra cost — I chose broccoli, and it was no problem at all. The chicken apple sausage was also a standout — flavorful and cooked perfectly. Portions here are massive! We definitely needed to-go boxes. The pancake was about a 3/5 — fair and fluffy, maybe a little mediocre, but still tasty and satisfying. Our server was great — friendly and attentive. The atmosphere inside is amazing with a fun retro vibe. I’d suggest they spruce up the outside area a bit to make it look more inviting, and the women’s bathroom could definitely use a fan or some AC — it was way too hot in there. All in all, great food, good service, and a place I’d recommend with just a few small fixes.

One of few places with that classic diner feel. They charge you to much for infinite coffee but have a consistent high quality in terms of food, the potato’s are the only thing that aren’t solid seeming to be slightly undercooked and look as if they’d be crispy. Otherwise, everything is cooked and served well, all meals stand out and are tasty. They also don’t waste any space on the plates. However service seems to forget you often or just pretend you don’t exist, which could be because they are always so busy. Better than the Boston average.

We had family visiting and wanted to have a traditional American Diner experience. Kelly's had great reviews and vegetarian options. We were a big party on a Sunday so our wait was long. They accommodated us really well and we loved the food! Thank you for making our family brunch experience great!

Old school Diner feel. Perfect for the family breakfast. Sat quickly and order was placed. Menu didn't have too many options but allowed for quick ordering. We had a little of everything. Eggs Benedict hit the spot. I didn't really like the tang in the sauce but the eggs were cooked perfectly and the French fries were fresh and amazing. Kids had beacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes. Food came out fairly quick and in good size portions. Would definitely recommend this location for breakfast.

“A symbol of American optimism.” Kelly’s delivers in vibes, service and most importantly, food. Couldn’t believe how amazing the breakfast sandwich was- it was perfect. It’s a bit pricey for diner fare but worth it and I’m excited to come back here soon.

Everything one would want in a train car diner. Pretty good prices (our brunch was $39) super nice, friendly servers :)

Where Kelly at?! I'd like to shake her hand. . . The food, atmosphere, and service were great.

Came here early one morning and was wonderfully surprised. Fast service, delicious food, reasonable portions and affordable. Tbt best thing was the hash browns. Crispy, well seasoned! Cash only with an ATM on site.

CASH ONLY!! We ordered two plates to share and it was way more than enough food. The portions were huge! The scrambled eggs were creamy, the bread was buttery and crispy and the chocolate chip pancakes were the best part. The French toast was a little dry and some of the fruits that came for an additional cost had some mold on it. Typically, you wait outside in a line until it's your turn. The service is fast and our server was super nice. It definitely is a loud and busy place on the weekends but a great place to get brunch and catch up with friends.

The diner has a very classic retro look. There are two lines, one for the counter and the other for a table. Be prepared to wait as there will most likely be a line. It's cash only! Everything on the menu looked good, majority of diners get breakfast. The portions are very good and you'll probably won't finish. I do wish the bacon was crispier and home fries were crispy. You won't be disappointed!

This is such a cute old-fashioned diner! The food is solid- I only tried the apple pancakes and that's kind of hard to mess up, but they were fluffy and not dry. I like that the pancakes are stuffed with whatever flavor you get, so the apples were inside. The service is good too. It's a great place for a quick casual breakfast or lunch!

I love Kelly's! If you want a good classic diner vibe in the Somerville/Medford area it's the place to go. I got the Challah French Toast with fruit, which was delicious and a huge portion, and a side of turkey bacon. Very experienced and efficient servers, tasty food, and a very warm, fun, noisy diner experience.

This place feels like home. Good is great and the service is better. Cone try it. You won't be sorry.

Went for breakfast Monday and waitress added her own tip to Bill watch your checks.food is good but overpriced now

This place sure did not disappoint. Food was great more than I could eat. Taste was amazing we had omelets and the trimmings. Potatoes were cooked just right and had that flat top crunch they should have. Grandson had French Toast with fruit w/ side of sausage 3 patties came with order. This boy has a big appetite and he could not finish he said was excellent. Old school as it gets but worth the trip. Oh and bring cash no CC accepted. The booths even had the old juke box machines in them the older folks will know what I am talking about. Wait staff was on point also.

Kelly's Diner is my go-to whenever I want a scrumptious breakfast. My go-to is either the French toast or the Kelly Super. The French toast is sweet and yummy while always satisfying my craving. The Kelly Super is great if I just want a little bit of everything on one plate. It comes with a choice of French toast or pancakes, toast, home fries, eggs, and sausage or bacon. I always get the sausage as each bite is always satisfying. The home fries are nice and soft, while the toast comes with butter on top already. None of the food is anything too special, but they are always solid. They give great portions, so I end up leaving the diner feeling full and satisfied. The service is pretty decent considering how busy they are. Food is always served pretty quickly, which is great. Do note that this place is cash only, but they do have an ATM machine outside their door.

My son and a bunch of his friends went in last week. They don't have a lot of money to spend. When I heard that a waitress, Cathy, told these kids that the law states that tipping is mandatory, which is complete nonsense. She took advantage of these kids. She didn't know whether they would have tipped her or not. She bullied them into it by including it on the check. No where in the diner or website does it say that gratuity will be included for large groups. I am ashamed that this women would do such a horrible thing. Something like this could really effect the restaurant and it's reputation.

The retro ambiance is superb. That's the reason my kids and I choose this place. The food is ok, nothing to rave about. The bacon was quite greasy. Probably did not let it drip after frying it. Home fries need flavor. Parking could get tricky. There are about 10-15 metered parkings at the front and side streets.

Everything you would want from a diner. I had a meatloaf special with mashed and green beans sitting at the counter. The portion was huge and the waitress was both pleasant and efficient. Cash only with an ATM in the lobby. Very busy.

Our favorite diner in the area--classic Boston and a fun spot to take visitors. The staff here are great, and it's always crowded for a reason. Can't go wrong with any of the breakfast options, but they have especially good pancakes.

Great old time diner to fill up for breakfast or lunch. A guy fiery and Somerville local favorite.

Kelly's has a classic diner feel, with great service and comfy booths. I ordered the Artichoke & Tomato omelet and the Raspberry Bread Pudding; my food was delicious and so was the bottomless coffee! The prices were also great for the huge portions. Definitely give this place a try! :)

Gorgeous color palette visually and EATS the traditional diner aesthetic. Walking in was such a visual treat, but it didn't compare to the actual food. The portions are huge and every bite was fantastic. I got a stack of apple pancakes that were sweet, doughy, and generally delectable, punctuated with the soft crunch of baked apple. also got a perfectly poached egg.... YUM. My brother from another mother got the fried fish special which was so massive he ended up taking it home AND it came with fluffy Italian bread! service was great and our waitress was super sweet! i have this weird thing abt eating butter and requested my pancakes without it and she didn't bat an eye!! major shoutout to her :) my bestie and I left EXCEEDINGLY satisfied. my one suggestion is that they update their menu online! The prices aren't bad for Somerville, especially with diners of comparable quality nearby being upcharged by at least a third of the price, but I'd gone after seeing the website's prices and expecting something slightly cheaper, which could pose a problem for someone underprepared since it's cash only (and at a place this good?? You really gotta leave a heck of a tip! :) )

The location was nice, and the interior was cute and cozy! The people there were super nice and friendly, and the food was delicious! Everything was very good. One thing is that the home fries are kind of like mashed potatoes, but still taste like home fries!

Solid diner, decent service and food. I got an omelet that took up half my plate and the home fries are kind of liked mashed potatoes. Old school pink and teal diner car had a charming vibe and was very clean. Scratched my diner itch.

Found Kelly's Diner back in 2019, after moving my son into Harvard! Anytime we come back to Cambridge, I have to come here to eat! This place is amazing! Food is great, there isn't anything that isn't good! Staff is so friendly and sweet! I highly recommend the egg salad for lunch, any breakfast is so yummy! It's breakfast for me today! I'll definitely be back before he graduates next year, class of '23!

Such a good little diner. Very friendly people with great food. Had the meatloaf and was extremely happy. Mashed potatoes and gravy were excellent! Could not finish my portion and I'm 6' 230 pounds. Great value!

First time coming to Kelly's my sister came here awhile back and said the food/service was excellent! So today Sunday we came here around 9:30am great timing parking spot in the lot. We got seated right away. Our server was awesome she was very attentive, I got crispy bacon 3 eggs over easy & raisin toast. Our server checked with us to make sure everything was done correctly and if we are good! We are definitely coming back here for breakfast or lunch. Oh make sure you bring cash! No credit cards.

Lovely place, my go to spot after a terrible hangover. Amazing menu to choose from, tried the grilled Monte Cristo sandwich this time and it was soo delicious! Good service and food overall. If you're in Somerville, do check this place out!

In recent months my sons and I are doing a casual diner tour and we decided to stop in one weekend for breakfast, and surprisingly we hadnt ever been considering how close to home it is... CASH ONLY - Atm in the front doorway! Service was great, place is small and there was no wait, and really the move it along without seeming rushed. The only have Eggs Benedict on Sunday according to the menu, but it was a Saturday and they had them (Whew, All I went for!) and they were good. Son got waffles & Loved them. Food was great, price and portions were great. Will def add to the rotation of breakfast spots, when construction is over so it isnt a clusterf*** to find parking.

Without a doubt my favorite diner in the Greater Boston Area. Affordable prices, good breakfast, and very fun service. Probably one of the last retro diner feeling places you can find around here. Gone with friends regularly for years, and will continue to do so.

This place gets crowded quick so make sure to go as early as possible. There may be a line but it is worth the wait. The pancakes are some of the best I have ever tasted. The potatoes were amazing. I would definitely recommend this place.

The cutest diner! Short wait, the food came out super quick, our waitress was amazing, and the aesthetic was unique. Couldn't ask for me! FYI Cash only!

Food: mid-- bland, nothing to write home about, large portions though. Service: decent, pleasant. Ambiance: the charm has worn off over the decades. Website is outdated and has prices that are half the price of the current prices, pulled us in, & then they claimed that the "website just couldn't be taken down." Overall, cash only, felt like we were scammed.

I had a perfectly respectable diner breakfast here. It was my first time. By 8 AM the place was very busy. I went in alone. I was quite surprised though at the prices. The prices that accompany the photos here on Yelp are very much outdated. I ordered regular pancakes and a side of bacon with a cup of coffee. The bill totaled $22. By the time I left a tip, my pretty average diner breakfast for one cost $27. So, I think this is a hard pass for the future. They're not hurting for business though.

classic diner with an incredibly cozy and chill vibe. waitresses were accommodating, amicable and attentive. service was fast but the FOOD was so tasty. the soft and crunchy texture of the home fries blew me away and the sirloin steak was amazing (even though it wasn't seared medium rare). i love bananas so the banana chocolate chip pancakes were a must order. eggs benny had good yolk consistency and the Canadian bacon was mouthwatering. also got a children's coloring sheet which was cool :)

This place is AWESOME! I had the omelette and my wife had the corned beef hash -- we both loved our breakfast. The atmosphere is quintessential New England diner, and the service is fantastic! A must-eat if you're in Boston! But if you go, make sure to bring cash (they don't take credit).

I had the turkey club with fries, which was good, but I don't think they have updated the prices on their website since they opened. Almost twice the cost as shown albeit in line with the times.

What a gem!!!! So, my husband and I were in Boston for our 10yr wedding anniversary and we saw this place on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives so I had to check it out!! The homemade corn beef hash was excellent! Home fries had a great crisp to the edges. My husband got an enormous 4 egg omelet and enjoyed that as well. Such a great place with friendly waitresses. If I'm back in town I will definitely stop there again. Parking was the only downside, but anywhere in the Boston area sucks for parking!

Kelly's is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Somerville. Food - despite the appearance of a run-of-the-mill silver car diner, Kelly's serves up quality breakfast food. I love the French toast - it's soft, fluffy, and deliciously sweet. Their sausage and home fries are crispy and hot. My girlfriend absolutely loves the raspberry pancakes. Service - the friendly service is welcome for any tired-eyed patron, peppy with a hot cup of coffee in hand and ready to take your order. The servers have always been so sweet and made sure our food is promptly brought to us. We've never had a missed order and I don't think we've ever had to wait longer than 15 minutes to eat. Cost - Kelly's is inexpensive, there's no denying it. But what you get for the price is incredible, it feels like a deal.

Everyone - Kelly's Diner is open for sit in brunching! This is SPLENDID news. If you haven't been to Kelly's, do yourself a favor and go as soon as you can, before this place fills up to the brim again, as it used to pre-Covid during Week-ends. Kelly's is a snapshot of American culture: 50s genuine kitsch, great Boston accents, American diner fare elevated to perfection. Don't just trust me - trust Guy Fiery on the wall - he knows. Try the rye bread for your toast, or the blueberry pancakes. You'll roll out of this place on a cloud of contented food bliss. Oh, and they've set a few tables out outside.

such amazing breakfast here. I die for their pancakes. Portions are big and service is always sweet!! Don't forget cash only!

The food at this restaurant was delicious, and I had no problem with anything I ate. However, I did have an issue with the service. We ordered 3 iced coffees for the table. Our waitress repeated the order back to us: 3 iced coffees. She came back with 3 hot coffees. Mistakes happen, and I was not upset. Trying to be nice, one of my friends ordered another iced coffee. She came back with an iced coffee, but my other friends were far too uncomfortable to try ordering one for the third time. When she returned, I ask for some ice in a cup. Our waitress rolls her eyes but comes back with it. When bringing out the food, she rolls her eyes at us again. We had an incredibly uncomfortable experience and felt extremely unwelcome. Looking at the other reviews, especially from other POC, this kind of behavior seems par for the course. Safe to say, we will not be returning. Having been a waiter, I understand working long shifts is tiring and can be irritating, especially during rush hour. Despite this, I have never rolled my eyes at a customer. If we as a party did something to upset our waitress, we'd like to apologize/know what we did to receive such disrespect. Would love to hear from you.

Authentic diner with good atmosphere and service. Cash only, but there is an atm if you forget it! There's often a line out the door here for breakfast on the weekends.

Absolutely terrifying experience. Only ended up staying three minutes after we got SCREAMED at for trying to find a table in the front. The rude woman with gray hair ruined my morning. WILL NOT BE RETURNING. The food looks average anyways and it's cash only. It's 2022 seriously get with it who Carries cash.

Amazing diner with super friendly servers. I enjoyed the spinach and mushroom omelet. The eggs were fluffy and absolutely delicious. The home fries are mushy and wonderful with ketchup. The chocolate chip pancakes and French toasts are perfect for satisfying anyone's sweet tooth! Worth the drive over for a wholesome weekend brunch!

We really missed such places! Retro style with the old nice family style diner! We had Super Kelly's plate which is eggs, potatoes, bacon and pancakes! It was delicious and so tasty! The pancakes were delightful! Prices very affordable for the area! Great experience and feeling bad that it took me so long to try it! highly recommend!

This is my favorite place for brunch. It is so casual and walking distance from my house. They are very cheap and long menu. it is cash only though. The staff is very friendly and it is a very easy going vibe. I have always enjoyed the food and breakfast is served all day which is a plus for people that roll out of bed at noon like me.

It's like going back in time. Cramped not the cleanest and in covid it's overwhelming BUT it's a diner and "nothing is finer then this diner." Great simple plates - super quick and easy on the wallet

Big fan of this awesome diner! Grab a comfy booth or seat at the counter. Hot or iced coffee free refills! Pumpkin pancakes were outstanding - wish I could eat these every weekend. Also great we're the combelt sandwich and the corned beef hash. But the pancakes really stole the show!

What a huge disappointment... I'm a big fan of diners and was so excited to try Kelly's. I took my grandkids for a special lunch date. We walked in and there were several tables open but all dirty. We were told to sit where ever and someone would be with us soon. Our server showed up looking overwhelmed and cleaned the table and took our drink order. No kids menu, but no big deal. We ordered and waited a long time for our food. My grandson took a bite of his burger and spit it out. He asked me to smell it & it was spoiled! The server came by and I told her the issue and we sent it back. They comped the burger and still had the nerve to charge for the fries. My Monte Cristo was meh... All the rave reviews were about breakfast, I guess that was my first mistake. Someone had to know the burgers were bad. We could smell it cooked! No email or info to pass along to anyone in charge so I guess this is my platform.

I recently went to Kellys Diner and I had PJ for my waitress. It was my first time at Kellys and I had some questions on the menu. She answered all of my questions and gave me some of her favorites on the menu! She was so sweet, funny and attentive and the food was excellent!! I can't wait to go back to Kellys and hope PJ will be my waitress! It was a great experience and a great meal. Gotta love a local diner! I recommend checking out Kelly's Diner if you haven't been yet.

The teal and pink colors with the retro diner vibe makes it perfect for Instagram photos! I just ate breakfast here and really enjoyed it. The home fries were good and I liked the toast too. The bacon wasn't super crispy but it was still tasty. We had a blonde lady help us and she was so friendly! Great first meal for my visit here in Boston!

This review is to recommend the most soul satisfying dish I have ever tried. It makes my soul cry with joy. Go! On Mondays and have this. Roast Beef Special. Mondays only.

Love this place! I've been here three times since I've moved to Somerville, and it has definitely become one of my go-tos/favorites... Come here if you are looking for classic diner food options at reasonable prices. The waitstaff is extremely friendly (so friendly you ask yourself if you're in a movie). The corned beef is great, fries are good, and eggs are always well cooked. I love that you can switch white bread out for raisin bread at no extra cost. Also, great location with a small parking lot in the rear with handicap accessibility. Overall, great restaurant with good food, I will be coming again soon!