Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage
Cambridge, MA 02138-3820
Phone: (617) 354-6559
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Harvard Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- French Fries 2007, Hamburger 2007, Hamburger 2007
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-9pm
Editorial Review for Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
For one of the Boston area's most unique--and beloved--dining experiences, visitors must cross the Charles and head toward the edge of Harvard Square, where Mr. Bartley has lured people to his "cottage" for more than four decades. Mr. B can still be found seating students and area workers in his hectic single-room restaurant that's jam-packed with young, eclectic waiters and humorous posters from bygone eras.
The Food
Bartley's has satisfied cravings of many a hippie, yuppie and celebrity by taking seven ounces of freshly ground sirloin, grilling it to perfection, slathering on any number of toppings and giving it a humorous, politically tinged billing (the "Dick Cheney's only a heartbeat away"). Every once in a blue moon, someone passes on a burger to nosh on a gigantic, fresh salad or comfort dish like franks with Boston baked beans. Almost as popular as burgers are tangy raspberry-lime rickeys and extra-thick frappes.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Where to SitIf you're in the Square and flying solo, grab a seat at the long, communal table in the center of the restaurant.
When to GoAvoid the restaurant during lunch hours, when every seat is taken and there's usually a wait to get in.
Know Before You GoLooking to have a beer with your burger? Head elsewhere--no alcohol is served here.
User Reviews for Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage
10/09/2008 Posted by norgeerbest
We were 4 going to dinner, my husband was parking our car and us three ladies walked in ahead of him. We told them we needed a table for 4 and that the fourth person was parking the car but we would place his order for him. We were told to wait OUTSIDE! It wasn't even crowded inside, plenty of tables were available! When we were getting seated there were multiple tables available and we requested a table in a corner. She replied with a NO, you can sit here! And threw our menus on the table almost hitting the guy next to us! A table for 4 opened up next to us and we were moved there finally. We placed our order and I placed my husbands order as well. When he walked in, the waitress walked over to my husband and asked if the order I had placed was indeed what he wanted! HOW RUDE! Of course it was! The check came way before we were done eating and she tried to take our plates half way through dinner! As she removed a plate she pulled it off the table and the fork on top of it fell on my friends arm and on the floor, the waitress didn't even apologise for the ketchup that ended up on my friends' sleeve. We gave a $5 tip for a $51 dinner, yes, I would have given less, but my husband insisted... I will NEVER go here again and I will spread the word of the terrible customer service, either way, the food isn't worth sitting through that! And it's dirty in there! We had to ask the waitress if she could please wipe off our table before we sat down!
Pros: Large menu
Cons: Terrible Service, tight seating, waitresses screaming, dirty, rude
08/30/2008 Posted by momoirise
Bartley's Burgers is a fine example of genuinely great food. I have gone there so many times, and have always left full and happy. This is a true example of Boston at it's finest, and is quick also (as long as you don't go on a Friday/Saturday night!) The oreo cookie milkshake's and the Mitt Romney Burger are both highly reccomended. It is truly a burger place though, plastic chairs and "communal" eating tables, a.k.a. tables pushed together, but that doesn't really make any difference in the quality of the food. If you're looking for a Burger, Mr. Bartley's is the place!
