Shirley Eat More Sunshine

"This small sandwich shop has a super seasonal menu highlighting the best of New England produce. And while it’s tough to pin down a specific standout since the menu is always in flux, you can always count on there being fresh-cut vegetables, interesting sauces, crispy tofu, snazzy pickles, and pillowy, housemade bread. If you see the BLT or a variation of Shirley’s popular vegetarian bánh mì, order it without question. Shirley’s also does homey baked treats, like maple corn muffins and raspberry cinnamon toast. There’s no indoor seating at all, so take your order over to the picnic tables at Statue Park for a little outdoor lunch. " - lala thaddeus

"There are many sandwiches to rave about in Boston and beyond, yet nothing quite measures up to Shirley’s. The tiny, one-person operation started off as a pop-up in Bow Market, not too far from its current home in Davis Square, and it soon gained a solid following. Its focaccia is good on its own: crusty on the outside with an abundance of seasoning and fat to amp up the flavor but also try the fluffy, buttery biscuits loaded with blood orange jam. Its menu is very seasonal — keep an eye out for ramp-filled goodies coming in the spring." - Valerie Li Stack

"Some couldn’t stop raving about Shirley’s banh mi at its Bow Market pop-up a year ago and others were obsessed with its freshly made focaccia with honey butter dip. The herby smoked chicken salad sandwich was the highlight, as the creamy aioli, cheddar, tender chicken meat, and warmly toasted focaccia worked harmoniously together, aided by a touch of textural contrast from the pickled shallots and crunchy apple slices." - Erika Adams

"Shirley is a farm-to-table pop-up that’s been serving locally sourced ingredients on freshly baked bread, among other goodies, at Somerville’s Bow Market since fall 2021. It will soon leave the market and put down permanent roots at 22A College Avenue in Davis Square, Somerville. Shirley will continue to showcase local ingredients via a menu featuring sandwiches, baked goods, and drinks, all made in-house, with vegetarian, vegan, and nut-free options available. The new location will open in mid-August, operating Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal