Back to the 50's
It feels like a bit of a time warp when you step into this modest lunch counter. The menu and decor wouldn't seem out of place 30, 40, or even 50 years ago. Although the prices are a bit more than you would have paid back then, they're still quite reasonable by today's standards, especially with the generous portions.

The menu offers breakfast all day, soups, sandwiches, and hot entrees. There is a list of rotating daily specials for each day of the week. Mostly the food is straight American diner cuisine, although there are sometimes a few regional specials (like the fried clams and fried scallops on Fridays). And there are some nods to the owner's Greek heritage (moussaka on Mondays).

While the atmosphere is pretty basic - it's a typical old-fashioned lunch counter - it's also spotless and obviously well-cared-for. Lunch is often very crowded, with a line for tables, and it can get quite noisy, especially with the owner's frequent barking of commands to his staff - which is loud enough to startle first-time guests. The waitstaff is both friendly and efficient. The crowd is a melting pot with local business people, town politicians, construction workers, and a few academics and students from nearby schools included in the mix.

What makes this place different from many is that the food is real. The eggs for an omelet are cracked when you order. The turkey for your sandwich is sliced from a real breast they roasted on premises. Ditto for the hot roast beef. Prices are also generally quite low considering the usually large portions. A few dishes don't seem quite right, even though they may be in keeping with the old-time atmosphere (for example, overcooked pasta is standard in their spaghetti and overooked vegetables are the norm), but overall, the food is quite good.

If you want something even remotely trendy, this isn't your place, but if you want straightforward, stick-to-your-ribs food that would have been at home on any American table in the 1950's or 1960's, this is a very good option.    [29 Mar 2003 15:51:06]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: fried clams (Fri. only), hot turkey sandwich, hot roast beef sandwich

     ­Anonymous   

Busy Place
The counter is usually nearly full. Plenty of booths. Prices are very reasonable. Plenty of menu choices. The egg dishes are very good although the size of the home fries portion is very small. No free refills for the coffee although coffe is reasonable at .90 - most breakfast places give free refills and charge maybe $1.50. Atmosphere reminds me of the tv show that featured Mel's diner with the same type of waitresses. Services is pretty good and the talk between customers and help is friendly.

Bathroom is horrendous - it's in the basement and getting there is a royal pain. Bathroom is very basic and barely acceptable.

All in all a cheap place to get reasonable good food fairly quickly.

Meter parking can usually be found near the entrance.

Past hangout of Frank Salemme - da gangsta who is no longer free.    [04 Apr 2006 06:22:57]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Brad   

Hungry?
I have been eating at the Bee off and on for years. Compared to other places the food is consistently good. It can be very crowded at peak times, but better at the off peak like most places.

Make up your mind fast; the waitress despises the slow or unsure.

I recommend Moussaka on Monday, the baked lamb, and the shish if you have time. The burgers are very good. You can't go wrong with breakfast.

Bring some cash, no checks or plastic.    [19 Sep 2007 21:32:59]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: mousaka, baked lamb, shish, breakfast

     ­Anonymous