Summer Shack

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149 Alewife Brook Pkwy
Cambridge, MA 02140

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(617) 520-9500
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Reviews
( 17 )
( 6 )
( 2 )
( 8 )
( 10 )

Best

I've only been twice, but each time was a really good time. The first time I went was when I was just starting really explore seafood. I had a swordfish special that was served wi...

Worst

i WASN'T AS IMPRESSED AS IT WAS MADE OUT TO BE. THE FOOD WAS GOOD BUT A LITTLE PRICEY FOR THE PORTION SIZE. AND THERE WERE TOO MANY INUSUAL THINGS ON THE MENU. IF YOU GO WITH ANY...

Don't waste your time 10/13/2003

I unfortunately gave this place a second shot, and this time it was a worse experience then before! On a dead Sunday afternoon it took the waiter a good 10 minutes to come and greet us, proceeded to dump chowder all over my boyfriend, and then nothing was taken off the bill! Don't waste your time. There are so many better restaurants to go to that will offer you good service and food for less money Cons: Service, Price of meal, Food not that good more
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Stay Away From the SHACK!!!! 7/14/2003

One of the worst experiences I have had in years was at the summer shack. It began in a filthy parking lot which I should have taken as an omen. Once inside, it seemed like a reunion among the waitstaff as no one came to greet us or sit us down. Once we did sit ourselves, it took 10 minutes for someone to come by and he did not bother taking a drink order. The food was horrible, expensive and not worth it at all. I had fish and chips and the coating was like rubber. I have never had to use a knife to cut a fish and chips but this one needed it. I will never go here again and will tell anyone to stay away. Save your money and go elsewhere. Burger King has better fries and fish!! Pros: none, none, none Cons: FOOD, AMBIENCE, SERVICE more
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Pathetic 7/7/2003

Clearly a famous name doesn't guarantee good food or a pleasant experience. For those prices I'd love to have something more than a school cafeteria's version of seafood and sides. Uncomfortable seats left over from Aku-Aku and brown paper covering VERY old and disgusting vinyl tables are fine at dive bar or deli, but... come to think of it, this is much like a dive. Only in this one you have to go thru a gift shop to leave. Pros: Loud --> can't hear, babies crying., Funky Cons: Expensive, Bland more
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Could it be that bad? 7/6/2003

oh yes! This place lacks all the necessities required to survive...ambiance, service, good food, reasonable prices. Ordered the most pathetic looking lobster roll. This place is out done by Kelly's in almost every way. I will never go back nor will I ever recommend this shack! more
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Avoid. 5/27/2003

My wife and I dined at the Back Bay location on Monday. We ordered the Bermuda fish and crab chowder, spinach salad with shrimp, an assortment of crab claws, and calimari. Not a single distinguished dish among them, and one of which was practically inedible. The Bermuda chowder was blandly seasoned and with no identifiable pieces of fish, crab. And $9.00 a large bowl??? Skip it. The spinach salad was utterly detestable, and larded through with tiny ""from-a-can"" shrimp still coated with the slimey oil it was packaged in. The calimari was serviceable, though far too bready, and not even as good as the mediocre calamari appetizers at Vinnie Testas or PF Changs. The crab claws were disappointing as well, but for only $7 or so, acceptable. I live right around the corner, but I doubt I'll ever dine here again. Very definitely not recommended. more
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ok restaurant 4/16/2003

There were definitely a lot of pros: good food, atmosphere, spacious bar. Cons: Food came out cold, long wait, ridiculous prices, and the bartender was pretty slow. After an 1.5 wait (at 9pm!) we decided to just sit and eat @ the bar. We did not get offered roles until we were almost done w/ our meal and our bill for the two of us + tip came to almost 100 dollars!! A little steep in pricing for not that great of an experience. However, I will definitely go back to give it the benefit of the doubt- I believe there could be potential in this place. Pros: fun atmosphere, decent food & portion Cons: long wait, prices too high more
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The Best Ever 3/2/2003

By far teh best restaurant that I have been to ever. I recommend anyone that wants to have a great meal and a great dessert go now. more
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Worst service I've EVER had... 2/8/2003

After all the rave reviews I'd heard (but I didn't check here), my BF & I had to check this place out. I can deal with a 45 minute wait and sitting at a picnic table to eat a teeny $25 entree...I can't, however, handle bad service and this was honestly the worst we've ever had! We LITERALLY got more attention from the busboy. We were never served bread, only offered one drink & waited 35 minutes after our meal for the check. We were still hungry after such small meals & thought about dessert, but were never even asked. I complained to the manager, but he just handed me a card and told me we'd get a free appetizer the next time we came in...which will be NEVER!! Save yourself the hassle & money - you can be ignored at home... Pros: Free parking, Fresh seafood Cons: Horrible service, Miniscule portions, EXTREMELY overpriced more
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Friendly's Has Better Clams 2/4/2003

This was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. We waited 45 minutes in an empty restaurant (while watching others simply walk to their tables, sit and be served) only to eat cold, barely edible, miniscule amounts of what could easily have been frozen seafood. I'm going to believe that Jasper was too busy with other endeavors to realize that this was a waste of time and reputation. Pros: good parking Cons: horrible service, inedible food, EXTREMELY overpriced more
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pricey for small portions 12/14/2002

Small portion of fish was quite good. Side of baby carrots. That was it, all for 18 bucks. Too musch for too little Pros: Fish good, Family atmosphere Cons: Very small side dish, Not enough for money more
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Shuck the Shack 12/11/2002

Are you serious? Over-priced, noisy, smoky. So-so food. Un-attentive waitstaff. Wait for the really summer, go to Maine! Pros: local Cons: see above more
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A LITTLE OVERDONE 12/7/2002

i WASN'T AS IMPRESSED AS IT WAS MADE OUT TO BE. THE FOOD WAS GOOD BUT A LITTLE PRICEY FOR THE PORTION SIZE. AND THERE WERE TOO MANY INUSUAL THINGS ON THE MENU. IF YOU GO WITH ANYONE WHO SIPLAIN THEY WILL STRUGGLE TO FIND SOMETHING GOOD HERE. AND FOR THE PRICE I WAS SITTING ON A PICNIC TABLE. Pros: GOOD PARKING, LARGE SEATING AREA Cons: A LITTLE PRICEY, TOO EXOTIC more
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Summer shuck ! 11/20/2002

This place is lousy.
Small portions, served cold, at mediocre prices.
The name would imply a great deal , for alot of food, not looking for ambience.
I went when it had just opened and the fall from ""excellence"" usually happens much later when it becomes yesterdays news. Which is what this is when it opened Pros: Picnic style, At the beach Cons: Ain't no Picnic ! more
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STUPID FOR GOING BACK 11/11/2002

I MADE THE MISTAKE OF GOING BACK AFTER BEING ""BURNED"" OPENING MONTH. iT'S EVEN WORSE, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT. #1 SMALL OVERPRICED PORTIONS #2 (WHAT WAS THAT IN THE ""CLAMBAKE""& WHY DO THEY EVEN CALL IT A CLAMBAKE) #3 LOUSY SERVICE AND BAD ATTITUDE I FELT RIPPED OFF. AND STUPID FOR GOING BACK. Pros: GREAT PARKING Cons: NOISY, UNCOMFORTABLE more
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Shack it up 10/22/2002

Went for lunch - right at opening... should have waited... Hopefully it was just the waitperson I had - but she was not very good, didn't let me know what the specials were *(other staff was very helpful to their tables explaining the board without being asked) and although she only had two tables she was never around... worst part was when she came over as we were dining on our apps and she said oh, I will put your main meals in now... as a second server brought them to the table... (We were not ready for them)... I will give this a second go (the food was good enough to try again. Pros: Good Food Cons: Waitstaff more
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Keep up the Good Work 10/5/2002

Great meal at a great price with friendly knowledgeable service. Love the Summer Shack eat their monthly....always new specials. Keep up the Good Work. Pros: Fresh Seafood, Friendly Service, Specials more
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FANTASTIC 9/20/2002

We had a ball, very friendly atmosphere, great food and drink, wonderful all around. Everybody in the palce was rockin and having a great time....what a place to celebrate an event...weekends busy but the host staff was great and we only waited a short time on our first visit..weekday i had no wait after work...the seafood great my kids loved watching it being prepared....and the balloons and crayons kept them busy...HIGHLY RECCOMENDED Pros: fresh fish, friendly service, group friendly more
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Great seafood selection 9/18/2002

Summer Shack is a traditional New England clam shack on steroids. It's large and the seafood selection encompasses regional specialties up and down the eastern seaboard. Delicious! Pros: food Cons: dining hall atmospher more
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Are you Crazy? 9/17/2002

This place is without question a top notch establishment! I have been to Summer Shack dozens of times and have only had great meals and fine service. Definitely worth the $$$ and the time! more
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fresh 9/17/2002

If you are looking for the freshest in seafood this is the place. I saw the guy in the window cutting the fish they were cooking that night. When was it swimming that morning. The fried food was perfect. Service was freindly and fun. Bring the hole family. This is the place. Pros: good parking, Inexpensive, casual more
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Menu for Summer Shack


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    From the 40-foot fisherman statue that guards the front door to the 1,500-gallon tanks housing hundreds of stomach-bound lobsters, celebrity Chef Jasper White's labor of love...

  • 12/16/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Payments: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card, Visa
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