Neighborhood Kitchen
Restaurant · Medford ·
Haitian-Asian fusion with chicken & waffles, spicy chicken sandwich
Haitian-Asian fusion with chicken & waffles, spicy chicken sandwich
"We come to The Neighborhood for two things: the patio and the cream of wheat. This Union Square hideaway boasts one of the prettiest outdoor spaces in town, where in the summer you can dine under a dense canopy of grape leaves. The humble cream of wheat is cinnamony, just sweet enough with a dash of salt to keep things interesting, and decidedly not gloopy. One of the best dishes here is the underrated Portuguese breakfast, which comes with beans, rice, morcela, fried eggs, and a trio of fried croquettes with assorted fillings. It all adds up to one of those meals that, in another life, would’ve fueled you to work a long day on a farm, but today will at least get you through a day of exploring Somerville’s funky Union Square." - lala thaddeus, tanya edwards, catherine smart
"It’s not often that we have a fried chicken sandwich and think, “Boy, the sauce was the best part of that breaded wonder.” But that’s exactly what happened with Neighborhood Kitchen’s star condiment - their bacon jam. Sure, it pairs well with spicy chicken breast and chipotle mayo in sandwich form, but also with oatmeal, grilled fish, and even ice-cream. How do we know? Neighborhood Kitchen sells the stuff by the quart and we had a lot of time to experiment in our home kitchens this year. And please don’t critique our inner monologue voice." - joel ang
"The Spring Street Chicken Sandwich at Neighborhood Kitchen is topped with a substance known as bacon jam - what else do you need to know? Well, there’s also a nicely-fried, spicy chicken breast and some chipotle mayo on this sandwich. But the bacon jam that’s subtly tucked in the bottom layer has the perfect balance of crunch, saltiness, and sweetness, and is probably the best condiment we’ve had this year. Not that we’re out buying random condiments to try at the grocery store or anything. No, not us, never." - joel ang
"The Neighborhood Kitchen embodies what would occur if your cool, young Haitian cousin opened a restaurant. The Haitian Laotian spot, co-owned by Eddie George and Joy Phoubaykham, pays homage to the island’s flavor while offering a fresh spin to Boston classics. Take the fried fish sandwich; the haddock is the main character, topped with creamy aioli and spicy pikliz. You’ll also come across nostalgic meals every Haitian kid ate while growing up, like spaghetti tossed with onions, peppers, and hot kielbasa, and creative takes like the griot handheld that uses sweet plantains instead of bread." - Ashia Aubourg
"Hidden in a mostly residential corner of Medford, this local favorite serves a menu influenced by Haitian and Asian cuisines. The chicken and waffles are a highlight — choose red velvet, Asian sesame and scallion, or honey cornbread for the waffle and one of six flavors for the wings or tenders — but the Spring Street sandwich is also a must, featuring spicy fried chicken with chipotle mayo, bacon jam, and a pickle." - Erika Adams
