Good Sandwiches and Nose Hair Trimmers
by Jay Kommers on September 24, 2001 in Culture
For those of you who are new to the Kennedy School, the day will come–if it hasn’t already– when you find that the in-house food service no longer titillates your palette. If you are too lazy to pack a lunch, this will mean that you must venture onto the nearby streets in search of a quick bite to eat. To help newcomers with this task, I have compiled a list of some of the less-conspicuous eating establishments in Harvard Square that offer sandwiches or quick service for students.
An excellent place for a quick sandwich is at the deli in Cardullo’s, located a few doors down from the Harvard Coop. Mostly selling specialty imported food products such as chocolates and select wines and cheeses, Cardullo’s also has a versatile deli menu. Favorites include their version of a Rueben sandwich called Hearty Harvard (for meat-eaters of great intestinal fortitude). The Parisian, which features brie and slices of green apple on a baguette, delights most vegetarians. While the selection of their pre-made salads is small with usually your choice of goat cheese or Greek (I always go Greek), they are typically fresh and satisfying.
As long as I’m on the vegetarian items, one of the best veggie sandwiches is found at Café Paradiso, located a block away from KSG on Eliot Street. I am not a vegetarian, and typically make a conscious attempt to avoid items off the veggie menu, but the veggie sandwich served here features eggplant, asparagus and other delectable items and is exceptional. I’ve witnessed normally a reserved and well-mannered vegetarian scarf one down with all the grace and etiquette of a hungry jackal.
Another place for people with jackal-sized appetites is the Vietnamese restaurant Pho Pasteur, which is tucked inside The Garage in Harvard Square. Pho offers a huge selection of affordable menu items that come in extremely generous portions. For example, the large bowls of soup appear to contain at least a half-gallon of liquid. In a way, it is analogous to the MPP core curriculum: far more material is presented than what a human could reasonably digest or find useful. My personal “Pho Phavorites” include the sweet tofu with tomato and any of the vermicelli dishes. The fresh spring rolls and peanut sauce are also very tasty. The added bonus of eating at Pho is the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream parlor located next door.
If you are in the mood for some cheap greasy pizza, then stop by Café Avventura. It seems silly to mention it by name because most only know it as “That Place in The Garage With Cheap Pizza.” I never even knew its actual name until I had to find out to write this article. The best deal in the house is two slices of pepperoni and a medium drink for $4.25 or two cheese slices and a drink for $3.75. At those prices don’t expect much more.
Finally, to satisfy a sweet tooth you might want to stop by the Billings and Stover General Store, where they make fresh fudge, cakes, and other pastries. After a year of walking by without ever venturing inside, I finally walked in the other evening. The pastries, cookies, fudge assortments and other confections dazzled me until I was startled by another sight. Behind the counter I saw– and I kid you not– nose hair trimmers. Yep. Just behind the peanut butter chocolate fudge there was an impressive display case of nose trimmers and other self-grooming items. And these were not the little discreet trimmers that someone who is embarrassed by their unsightly nose hair might purchase, but rather the large, shimmering metal tools that a proud professional would use. Perhaps by the luxury of my youth, I have not had the occasion to contemplate making a nose hair trimmer purchase. But if the time ever comes, I know where to go.
The fudge is actually quite delightful, if you can take your mind off nose hair.
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