Best Breakfast Bargain in Boston
One omelet, which comes with hash browns and a bagel, is a big enough for two to split, and will only set you back around $6. I've never had anything bad in many trips here. Service from the owner is attentive. You can fill your own coffee or tea to heart's content.

It's in unfashionable Ball Square (Broadway street on the Medford border), which is one reason why it can charge low prices. Get there early on Sunday or you'll be stuck in the line that runs out the door, especially when Tufts is in session    [09 Jan 2000 23:13:44]

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Recommended Dishes: omelets, pancakes

     ­Joel Abrams   jabrams at mailcity dot com

Sound Bites Staff
While entertaining friends from out of town, our hungry party of four decided to head to Sound Bites, the seemingly lone breakfast establishment in all of Somerville that attracts hungry hordes on the weekends. Having read the Zagat's review prior to arriving, we were prepared for the "Soup Nazi" attitude of the staff. I assured my guests that although the hosts and wait staff may be abrupt and interested in shuttling people in and out as quickly as possible, the food was surely worth it. But what we encountered went far beyond "Soup Nazi." It was the worst encounter with restaurant staff that I have ever had in my years of dining out. Next in line for a table, our foursome lingered in the doorway waiting for the next table to clear. The host noticed that a four-top was being occupied by two people and asked if they would switch to a two person table so we could sit there. They graciously obliged. Our party starting laughing, commenting that they sure were accommodating and we weren't expecting for someone to relocate on our account. The surly, awful host overheard our laughter of surprise, pointed at us and said "you, you want to laugh? What's so funny? Go ahead and laugh. You aren't getting a table." He then called on the party behind us, completely ignoring us, and continued to move down the line. I can honestly say that I have never been so humiliated or furious. It was one of those incidents that could have ruined a beautiful spring day. It was unnecessary, rude and disrespectful. It is one thing to gently chide a customer, it is completely another to outright embarrass them in front of a crowd and to act irrationally. Surprised and pleased laughter was apparently unacceptable that Saturday morning. A nice brunch out with guests turned into an awkward and frustrating situation and we decided that, despite having waited for 30 minutes, we would not be patronizing this establishment. So the bottom line is this: it is one of but a handful of breakfast places in Somerville with a veritable monopoly on the industry. The stuffed French toast may be tasty but the service is not worth it. The staff is under the impression that they are doing you a favor. You'll come out feeling full and debased.    [05 May 2003 14:14:25]

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     ­Anonymous   

Food May Be Decent, but It Might Ruin Your Morning.
A not so typical Saturday morning, I got in late the night before, woke up late and decided to treat myself to an easy breakfast out. Okay, so I live near Ball Square (Somerville) and have seen the lines at Sound Bites on weekend mornings, but decide to brave it anyway.

Mistake number one: don't go to Sound Bites solo. As soon as I was next in the queue and the host saw I was alone, he wanted to put me in a little itty bitty table -- behind the counter(!) -- where the cashier and wait staff were working. I declined that and it was another minute or two before a two top opened up. I thought, I can relax a bit now. I was quickly asked for my order and even though I looked at the menu for only a few seconds, I thought I'd better make a decision. There is "pressure in the air" if you don't hurry.

I sit a few minutes and get my own coffee (it's self service) and my food comes promptly (French toast stuffed with cream cheese and strawberries). Not two minutes later I was told it was against their rules to read a newspaper on the weekend while eating because of the line outside, and didn't I see the sign regarding this in the front. I hadn't seen the sign, so I was allowed to read (I actually saw the disturbed host looking for the sign to make sure it was up).

The atmosphere continued to go straight downward. I asked one of the wait-staff for some extra syrup and with an incredible scowl I was told contemptuously didn't I see it right there on the table. Okay, so I missed it in the container, but they sure have a way of making you feel unwanted. Finally, I finished the dish, about 20 minutes at the table, when the host came over, patted me on the back and said we need this table now, meaning in so many words -- get out! I paid the bill, at the cashier and he asked how was it? I told him terrible, left a dime tip and split. I don't care how good some of the dishes might be, they'll never get my business again.    [31 May 2003 11:50:56]

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     ­Anonymous   

Best Breakfast in the Boston Area
This is the best breakfast in the Boston area. It is cozy and intimate and everything on their menu is delish. While it is true that they have a "Soup Nazi" attitude toward things, it is for good reason - they have a small space, and many hungry customers. It is very easy to get a table quickly in a party of 2 because of their efficient service. I have never been treated rudely there, and in fact, as I have become a regular weekend customer, it is quite the opposite - I am always greeted warmly and enthusiastically.

They are also, it is worth noting, a very good deal. Probably the most affordable breakfast in the Boston area, as well as one of the best.    [18 Oct 2003 21:31:08]

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Recommended Dishes: Boston's best blue, Moroccan eggs, stuffed french toast, chocolate chip coconut pancakes, scone plate

     ­Supergirl, Cambridge, MA   

Sound Bites, Bites
Sound Bites serves food that will keep you coming back, regardless of the service. If you know how to cook, then the price you are paying will be too high for the kind of service you'll get. I've been there, once, and the servers were not rude to me (I guess they only like girls!). After waiting in the long lines, some might find it disappointing to have to leave so quickly. They do rush you though, which is understandable because that's not the only small restaurant which does that. It's a good place to go if you are hungry and have somewhere else to go afterwards! They'll make sure you don't miss any appointments.    [25 Jan 2004 02:12:14]

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Recommended Dishes: salsa omelette

     ­Somerville girl, College Student   

Colorful Staff Adds to Experience - Excellent Food Too
The sign at the door says it all, "This is a small restaurant in a hungry neighborhood." The variety is huge and the quality is excellent. The host can be a bit abrupt and harsh at times but his bark is far worse than his bite. Be prepared to order soon after you sit down. I have been going almost every Sunday for a year now and will continue to go. Don't forget to look at the specials.    [11 Jul 2004 21:14:51]

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Recommended Dishes: French toast with goat cheese and peaches

     ­Rich   

Don't bring guests, you'll be humiliated by the staff
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of bring some out of town family to Sound
Bites this weekend. From the minute we walked into Sound Bites, we were treated rudely, from getting yelled at for trying to put our name in (you don't do that there) to getting my plate pulled out from under me while I was still eating. Lastly, they rushed us paying our bill, and we only had enough money left to leave a 10% tip without calling them over to get change. That is about how much they deserved, anyway. We left, and the owner ran out onto the sidewalk to find us, yelling that we should leave at least 15%. When I started to explain why we didn't, he told us to "get out of here"! as he stomped off muttering. I will never go back there again. It is not worth the aggravation.    [04 Jul 2006 20:15:51]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Can't get past the rude service to enjoy the food

     ­Angry   

Best Breakfast Around
Food is really good...nice variety and the staff is entertaining. When there's a line, you don't have to inhale your food but do eat. (It's not a place to sit, relax, and take two hours to eat breakfast.)

I have the bowl of fresh fruit every time I go with my fiancee. The owner remembers and it's on the table waiting. He may be rough around the edges but he's a great guy.    [26 Jan 2007 14:28:29]

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Recommended Dishes: Everything!

     ­Anonymous