Eating Out: Cambridge Common

Located on Mass Ave. in Cambridge between Harvard Square and Porter Square, Cambridge Common is a pub-grub beer-bar that caters perfectly to its college-aged crowd. This isn't an upscale place, but Charlie Christopher, owner of Christopher's, Toad, and West Side Lounge, has been keeping his Red Line crowd happy for years with high-quality, low-priced food. Busy almost any night of the week Cambridge Common's patrons range from music geeks waiting to enter the Lizard's Lounge downstairs, to law students just looking for a pint before finals.

The appeal of Cambridge Common lies in both the beer and the food. The beer list comes as a separate menu insert to keep up with the ever-rotating taps of great microbrews from all over the U.S. While Bostonist was there, we were able to sample a Denver microbrewery's first beer released in Boston, plus a Mojo I.P.A, Post Road Pumpkin Ale, and Sam Oktoberfest. The menu always suggests a "Manager's Special" sampler for those too indecisive to pick out four complementing beers. The only disappointment with the rotating tap is the certainty that a new favorite will be gone shortly after you first try it!

A restaurant that succeeds does so by finding a niche and perfecting its offerings so that its clientele is never disappointed. Cambridge Common excels at giving Bostonist exactly what we expect from a pub; inexpensive, satisfying comfort food. How could Bostonist resist ordering the lunch-lady throwback basket of Tater Tots? For $3.50, this appetizer hardly breaks the bank. We also tried the seasonal cup of Butternut Squash soup, which was a creamy, spicy treat for a cold night. For the main course, we decided to try the B.B.Q. Bacon Burger and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich ($6.95 each). The Bacon Burger was cooked perfectly and was very thick and filling – guaranteed to satisfy any Angus craving. The chicken was mildly spicy and the portion was so generous that we weren't able to finish it. The curly fries aren't the best in town, but you can swap them for several other side orders.

While the sandwiches were good, Bostonist favorite item on the menu are the Sliders. Long before Match paired their burgers to martinis, Cambridge Common was offering four mini-burgers and curly fries for a mere $8.95. Being able to complement each mini-beer with its own mini-burger was a little slice of heaven.

Cambridge Common definitely satisfied Bostonist; two samplers, an appetizer, and an entrees for less than twenty dollars a person is a feat alone. Couple that with well-prepared food that comes with lots of specials and customizing options, and you have a great spot you can keep coming back to.

Bostonist Gives Cambridge Common 4 out of 5 hats.

Contributed by Matthew Nelson