Tara Tai
Google
Verdict: pretty good, especially if you live in Waltham.
Got here on a Friday night at around 6pm and it was PACKED. We were a party of 2 and waited about 45 minutes, pretty much exactly what the hostess promised, and there was ample (albeit cramped) seating in the front area of the restaurant. Overall, it's a tightly-knit space with a long bar along the left and tables (mostly for 2-4 people, so don't come with a massive group) along the right.
Once seated, we ordered the gruyere mac and cheese, the minted snap peas, and the large dark (two thighs, two legs, a biscuit, and two sauces). The mac and cheese was heavenly, creamy and rich and just a little spicy, fairly reminiscent of the mac and cheese at Buttermilk and Bourbon in downtown Boston. The minted snap peas were fresh and crisp, very high quality produce for the end of the season, and a great counterpoint for the comparatively heavier food we ordered. The fried chicken was good -- the breading was tasty although just a smidge soggy in places and the meat inside was generally pretty moist and flavorful, although parts of it were a little dry. The biscuit was solid as well -- the honey butter was a solid accompaniment, although not quite as good as the biscuits and honey butter found at Sweet Cheeks. Overall, weirdly, my favorite thing was the gochujang ketchup, which was tomato-y and sweet and spicy, just a great sauce to go with the chicken.
Our bill ended up being $41 after tax and tip for 2. Service was fast and friendly, and the drink list did look interesting although we abstained. They're still early days, so their dessert menu was a bit light -- just s'mores and ice cream -- but hopefully that will expand in the coming weeks.
Overall, worth a visit. Not the best fried chicken I've had in the greater Boston area, and if you're not up for the 30-minute drive plus wait from Boston proper, you could probably get similarly awesome food at Sweet Cheeks or Coast Cafe, but still -- quite a fun place with a great vibe!