Getting a Bite at Somerville's Soundbites

I, too, don't feel that the good food is worth the rude service in the crowded space they have. I much prefer Kelly's Diner in the train dining car a few doors down in Ball Square. They certainly don't want you spending 2 hours at your table on a Sunday morning there, either, but they at least won't pull your last pancake out from underneath you.

I also heard that the owner is planning on moving Soundbites across the street beside the new Sound Bites Wings place when the space beside it is cleared out. I think he mentioned later this year.

must say i disagree with the naysayers (joshua and seekaltroutes.) yasr and his crew are most definitely abrupt but this is a side effect of the realities of meeting the incredibly large demand on weekends. they most certainly expect you to be "efficient" about dining, but to be fair, the food appears on your table like lightning just after ordering. i've been visiting them since moving to the area in 2002 - at first, i perceived their attitude as unworthy of getting my business. after returning a few times (the breakfast really is great AND inexpensive), i realized that being "efficient" is about common courtesy to those standing outside waiting to eat, just as i had to.

for a more relaxed meal, visit during the week - the vibe is COMPLETELY different, and you can enjoy your paper and as much coffee as you'd like. i hear seekaltroutes on the Neighborhood suggestion - that is also a great place and the outdoor seating is awesome on a sunny morning.

as a side note, yasr (owner of soundbites) recently acquired the "zing wings" establishment across the street, bringing up the quality of their product up by 200% (and he works from 6am to 11pm many days). he is committed to ball square and has discussed expanding the breakfast space as practical.

I'm with Joshua G, the food at Soundbites is not worth the 'tude--not sure ANY food is worth that kind of treatment. Much prefer The Neighborhood in Union. We had a 35min. wait there today (Sunday), but we got to sit inside, were fed coffee and chocolate cake as we waited, and were never once rushed through. In summer the seating in the outdoor "grape arbor" is unbeatable. Plus we ate the weight of approx. 3 newborns in food, all for $10 a pop.

Soundbites sucks unless you like speedeating, shitty rude service and frostbite from waiting in line on the street for an hour.

Example: my girlfriend tried to order a cup of fruit after finishing her pancakes and we were asked to leave! Unbelieveable!

Yes, you can feel under the gun eating there on weekends (don't even THINK of bringing a Sunday Globe with you), but it's a great pleasure to go on a weekday midmorning. On the occasional weekdays off (that is, when everyone else is working), I love to go and have a big brunch at about 9:30.

Also, Soundbites has a signed picture from Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, of 1980 pro-wrestling fame.