Home Taste

Ownership change is always a mixed bag. I could do with the change in service, ambiance and just about everything else. What I can't accept ever is the change of food flavors and quality that was the initial reason I became a frequent regular. I found out about the transition and kept up my visits and support hoping the dishes I frequented would remain the same. It didn't. It really changed quite a bit. No, I don't blame them for applying their spin on the dishes. But don't expect me to forgive a lot of culinary mistakes that your predecessor perfected. I actually updated this review because I can't keep a 5 star review on a place that I once frequented often that I now decided I'd never return to after the repeated mishaps again, and again, and again. I wish your family the best and hope for the best. But objectively, you can't just buy a place that had culinary excellence and succeed without being of the same caliber - or at least show that you're trying to be there. Cheers. —————-(Previous Review)———- As the hunt for the familiar continues, my list in Boston continues to slowly grow with fine additions that port me back to specific aspects of childhood. Some very directly, some of a windy nature, but all in all, they all lead back home one way or the other. Here at Home Taste, I found that to be of the latter. It isn't exactly the same as my childhood but the flavors lead in all the right directions. There is a slightly different preparation (as expected of regional differences) but it sure packs the flavors that you'd hope for when the name literally means "flavors of home" (obviously for those of some form of Chinese descent). From the first time to many visits after the move here, it has become a truly comforting spot whenever I am hungry. The menu is extensive (as expected) so I'm only starting to grasp the varied flavors they have to offer. Yet, so far, it has already become quite safe to say that their food is legit and their prices are really cheap for what they offer (especially in this area and considering the current inflation that continues to drive everything up so much). They seem best known for their hand pulled noodles that either are the standard wide/flat or thin/round that come with varied finishing preparations. What really stunned me was the noodles seared in hot chili oil. The amount of flavor, the chewiness of the noodles, the fragrance of raw minced garlic and acidic notes ported me back several decades back into an earlier childhood. It was so good that I had to come back again the next day for it. I really don't think I need to elaborate more. As for the service, they are actually remarkably friendly. Something you'd never expect from a Chinese place on average. They operate like a genuine mom-pop shop: gentle in the way they approach and speak, patient when explaining things (noticed this especially with the varied diners here), and never at any point rushing you to finish and get out. It's like you're REALLY welcome here and they just want to feed you and keep you warm. I have become a solid fan of this little casual diner and know that I'll always come back at least a few times a month to experience home flavors from a different angle.

The spicy hot oil hand pulled noodles are my favorite. They are absolutely amazing and I’ve tried them at many different restaurants and these are my favorite. The noodles are chewy and fresh and it’s spicy but not too spicy and so flavorful. Their cumin lamb sandwiches, dumplings, and noodles with soy sauce and pickled cucumber (N18 on the menu) were also amazing

I came to home taste in Watertown, MA.. I came in the door at 2:54 pm and was not waited on until 3:00pm.. I wanted the lunch special that was eligible until 3:00pm and she denied me even though she was slow to greet me.. this is the 2nd time this happened .. the food is good but way over priced.. the person that waited on me just ignored me.. she did not seem to care.. terrible service !!!!!!!!!!

Their Chinese burgers are tremendous but today I ordered the pork with bamboo shoots and it turned out to have an insane amount of tofu in it. To the best of my knowledge, traditionally (and also amongst all the US Chinese restaurants I’ve been to), I’ve never found any tofu in this dish. It completely ruined it.

This is the vegetarian fried rice! I can count on my fingers the amount of veggies! Just call this - fried rice with trace amount of veggies.