1) NewBridge Cafe, Chelsea: A local townie joint near the Everett line that is considered by many to have the best steak tips in the entire Boston area, the NewBridge Cafe has what we think is the best marinade of them all. A well-hidden secret (though many claim to have the recipe), the NewBridge marinade has a sweet and rich flavor that greatly enhances the taste of the tips. One warning: The restaurant can get very crowded on weekend nights, so go early or hit it on a weekday. Address: NewBridge Cafe, 650 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, MA, 02150. The phone number is (617) 884-0134.
2) Cronin's Publick House, Quincy: When a restaurant and bar has the web address "steaktips.com," you can probably come to the conclusion that the tips will at least be half-decent there. And they are more than half-decent at Cronin's, a small watering hole near the old shipyard in a mostly residential part of Quincy. While the marinade might not quite match that of the NewBridge Cafe, it is very good, and the quality of the meat is up there with the best. Cronin's also has other great items, including an outstanding Cajun chicken soup, which is a nice starter before moving onto the tips or some of their other meals. Address: Cronin's Publick House, 23 DesMoines Road, Quincy, MA, 02169. The phone number is (617) 786-9804.
3) Sadie's Saloon and Eatery, Waltham: A rather sketchy-looking place just off of Moody Street (which is commonly known as "Restaurant Row"), Sadie's has an old-school working-class feel to it, and the food certainly reflects this. Most of the dishes here come under the "pub grub" heading, including their delicious steak tips that have a fairly mild, yet flavorful marinade. And for those who tend to avoid red meat, the turkey tips at Sadie's are decent enough, while the pork tips are out of this world, with a terrific Ah-So style sauce used for the marinade. Address: Sadie's Saloon and Eatery, 5 Pine Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. The phone number is (781) 893-5555.
4) Salem Wood Cafe, Malden: Considered by some to be equal to the nearby NewBridge Cafe in quality, the steak tips at this neighborhood Italian-American restaurant and bar between Malden Center and the Maplewood section of the city are certainly top notch. The tips themselves seem to match the quality of those at the NewBridge, and the tangy marinade comes very close as well. And for those who aren't in the mood for tips, the menu at the Salem Wood features a variety of chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. Address: Salem Wood Cafe, 385 Salem Street, Malden, MA, 02148. The phone number is (781) 324-4488.
5) 99 Restaurants (various locations): Huh? The 99? Could this be a mistake? No, and here's why--the broiled steak tips at this local chain of family-friendly restaurants are outstanding, mainly because of the marinade they use, which is easily among the best you'll taste in the Boston area. And if you like, you can get your tips mixed with sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms at the 99, though purists may not want to go this route. The rest of the food at the 99 can be hit-or-miss, but the tips are perhaps the best item on their menu.
If you have any favorite places for steak tips, please post comments below or let us know on either our Facebook Fan Page or our Twitter Page, thanks! [Note: Thanks to Rich O for helping out with this post.]
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