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Dave's Fresh Pasta
Categories: Food Specialty Food Restaurants Sandwiches Specialty Food, Sandwiches [Edit]
81 Holland StSomerville, MA 02144
Neighbourhood: Davis Square
(617) 623-0867
- Nearest Transit:
-
Holland St @ Jay St (87, 88)
Holland St @ Wallace St (87, 88, 89)
Holland St @ Paulina St (87, 88, 89)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 7:30 pm
Sat 11 am - 6 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
416 reviews for Dave's Fresh Pasta
Review Highlights
-
"My new favorite spot in Davis Square." In 36 reviews -
"I love the smoked tomato cream sauce." In 7 reviews -
"Fresh ravioli, with oft-changing specials." In 98 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
416 reviews in English
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Review from Shannon M.
Burbank, CA
5/16/2012
Dave's ruined my life, because now that I no longer live on the east coast, all I do is fantasize about finding a Dave's substitute and have yet to find anything comparable to the vibe, variety, and quality of the food that Dave's offers.
So thanks a lot Dave for being so awesome. I hate you. (And by "hate" I mean absolutely adore you).
I miss the sandwiches, fresh pasta, the tomato cream sauce I used to get like every week, the soups, ugh. I miss everything. -
Review from Kyle O.
Belmont, MA
5/12/2012
Kind of a hidden gem. I only go there for the sandwiches. That's the highlight of this place, so their name is a little misleading. Tip: go with the panini. Grab some awesome drinks and potato chips. If you've ever been to Hi Rise, sandwiches are similar. Not much room to sit, so you'll prolly have to take it to go.
The market area reminds me of Formaggio Kitchen and has lots of gourmet foods and samples. It might as well be Huron Village. -
Review from Patrick K.
Boston, MA
4/21/2012
Does this place need another awesome review, probably not. However, I will subject you all to my thoughts whether you like it or not. Then again, you could probably just stop reading and there isn't much I can do about that. I digress...
This place is legit. Awesome fresh pasta, awesome ravioli, awesome cheese, kick ass beer selection, decent but pricey wine offering, and all around a great place to go pick up what will surely be a great meal simply because of the ingredients.
Here's my gripe - and that it two fold based on one source. THE PEOPLE! Okay, so guess what, I'm not a hippie. I shower, I shave everyday, I wear a suit to work, and on the way to work, I think of various ways to run over cyclists and make it look like an accident so I don't go to jail. Furethremore I buy fancy watches, expensive shirts, and generally I think that the Occupy Movement was a bunch of uneducated morons. SO! Let me tell you, DFP - I stick out like a sore thumb. This, I do not mind - but when I walk in there I am so clearly being judged by both the patrons AND the employess it is ridiculous. I can honestly tell you about a time where the guy behind the counter passed right over me as I was waiting to get a half pound of cheese to help some smelly hippy that decided her way to show the world how independent she is was to not shave her armpits. (Yes - I know they do it in Europe - and frankly, I wish all those people would move there).
Dave's Fresh Pasta offers the best selection of a grocer / beer store / wine shop anyone could ever want. Just make sure you aren't a republican - or else you might find yourself drinking over-priced coffee yelping about it on a Saturday morning. -
Review from Michelle A.
Medford, MA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
If I lived in Davis Square and had money I would be doing a ton of shopping at this place. I can understand the allure of this place right when I walked in the door. Everything looks and smells delicious. I watched someone cutting fresh pasta. YUM! I walked around and looked in every corner and crevice noticing how they fill up all available space with its and bits. Great wine selection.
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Review from K S.
Somerville, MA
4/18/2012
What a great combo of gourmet grocer and deli! I love stopping in here to buy the odd cured meat, cheese, or fresh pasta. But if I ever get a chance to eat something here, the thing that keeps me coming back is the Avocado BLT. The salty bacon is perfect with the subtle sweet of the avocado and tomato. Make sure you get this bad boy on a nice toasted whole wheat.
Note: I've NEVER been disappointed with any of their catered food I've met at events. -
Review from Brett H.
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
You would think by the name of the place that this is some Italian joint but actually its a nice little market and deli. The place was packed and most people eat and run. They have a few seats and I was lucky to get one of them. The sandwiches are plenty to choose from and you can even make your own which I like since I'm a picky eater. It was amazing. A must try.
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Review from Tony C.
Cambridge, MA
3/27/2012
I live in North Cambridge and heard of this place for 3 years and finally went three weeks ago...and been back 3 times since then...yeah it's that good. I've been looking for a great Italian sandwich shop within walking distance and though Cardullo's in Harvard Sq and Sessa's in Davis Sq are good, Dave's is easily the best and in fact I'm not sure of anywhere in Boston that tops it. I find most joints in North End and elsewhere Boston are over rated and overpriced.
I'm a huge proscuitto fan and you can customize your sandwich any which way and I was blown away with how good their proscuitto sandwich was. Also had the italian and the ham & swiss panini style sandwiches and all have been awesome. You can get it cold or panini style it's all good. The staff is very efficient and though lunchtime gets packed they move through the line quickly. Definitely check it out. -
Review from Kathleen F.
Somerville, MA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dave's has about everything a foodie could possibly want crammed under one tiny roof. Craft beers, good wines, organic (and some local) gourmet groceries, cooking classes, and of course their amazing sandwiches. There are so many fresh delicious options to choose from! This past visit the bf got the Reuben, I tried it and it was amazing! Since i'm trying to cut back on meat these days I got the veggies with goat cheese.....mmmmm sooo good! The rustic bread i got w' my sandwhich was all crusty and delicious too it really added to the overall flava of the sandwich.
I would love for Dave's to be bigger though it seriously feels like one big cluster on a busy saturday, but somehow it all works out!! -
Review from Dara R.
Medford, MA
3/31/2012
This place is wonderful! They have all kinds of gourmet groceries. I bought a cotton "soup sack" for easily straining homemade soup. The sandwiches are delicious.
Today my sweetie and I shared a pressed "Turkey and Sundried Tomato Pesto" Sandwich on Izzgy's rye bread, and a large Pasta Fagioli soup. My only complaints are 1- that there isn't enough seating inside... We brought it home to eat since there were no available seats inside. And 2- that they don't offer half sandwiches.
The line moves quickly and the staff are friendly. I love this place. -
Review from Dustin L.
Allston, MA
4/30/2012
Unbelievable, the pasta is on point of course, the sandwiches are amazing though. The steak and blue is my go to. Come to Dave's and get your mind blown!
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Review from Elizabeth G.
Somerville, MA
3/10/2012 13 Check-ins Here
Your old-school neighborhood grocery, for the modern era. You can't do every little last bit of your grocery shopping here, but you'll come close.
A full selection of fruits and vegetables, much of it local. Cheeses and fish and meats and honeys and cookies and jams... I am always amazed at how much they pack into this tiny store. And of course, there is fresh pasta. It is pricey, but it is good. Lots of locally made cheeses too, and other cool stuff from small producers.
It's a great place to get a host gift for a party. Last year at holiday time they carried fruitcake... I know what you're thinking... but it was fruitcake without the chemicals and gelatinous, radioactive-red-and-green fruit. It was made from regular (delicious) dried fruit, nuts, honey, chocolate, and spices, and covered with a dusting of cocoa powder. It was out of this world. I took it to Thanksgiving when meeting the in-laws for the first time and I'm not sure if they liked me, but they were definitely all about that fruitcake.
So, you can get some cool and unusual stuff here. Not least of which are the wines they carry. A really extraordinary selection from the old world and the new. No Yellowtail here... You'll always find something new and interesting, and the staff are very knowledgeable. Everything is thoughtfully chosen and they really want to tell you all about it so you'll be as excited about it as they are! I will say that I wish there were more bottles around the $10 price point. The majority of the bottles are much higher. I know you get what you pay for, but I also know there are decent, interesting wines available at a lower price point.
Anyway, if you are into wine, make sure you sign up for the Dave's Fresh Pasta e-mail list. They have an e-mail with weekly specials that also lists beer and wine tastings, pretty much every Thursday and Friday from 5 to 7. If you get on the "Wine Club" list you'll also find out about special discount/sale wines and after-hours wine tastings. These start at 7:30 when the store closes and they are a ton of fun. For $40 you get to try a handful of wines (I forget exactly how many, maybe half a dozen), and you get a discount if you buy that night. Themes might be a specific grape or region. The people leading these tastings are usually importers who have a lot of knowledge to share. Highly recommended!
Pro tip: If you attend one of these tastings, don't bring your gym bag with you. I tried that once, coming to the tasting without stopping home first. Let me just say that there is not a lot of extra space in this store. I tried to tuck my bag away in a corner but I think by the end of the night, every single person attending the tasting, as well as most of the staff, had tripped on it. -
Review from Schuyler L.
Philadelphia, PA
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dave's!!! Five stars are in order when the produce looks hand picked out of the back of an Organic farmer's minivan and they have a clam bake/shrimp boil section in the grocery store. Other things that make Dave's the best are not limited to free sample of intoxicating truffle olive oil, fresh pasta, cheeses as far as the eye can see, cooking wines bearing the signs assuming we're just going to drink them straight anyway (because we would), and fresh sandwiches.
If you need to eat right away or cook and eat later you need to stop by Dave's. I only had about a half hour in Dave's Fresh Pasta, but it's easy to see why someone like Rachel T. may have formed a strange unhealthy infatuation! -
Review from Jenelle J.
Boston, MA
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
A-mazing sandwiches, what can I say. Great deli meat and bread, made to order, and simply delicious! A tad on the pricier side but worth it (especially since they're pretty big 'wiches).
Curious to come back to explore more of the store - lots of unique specialty goods caught my eye! -
Review from Spencer M.
Medford, MA
Imagine Original Sin. Now imagine that Original Sin carefully placed between two warm slices of Ciabatta and panini'd to perfection.
This creation is no mere sandwich. Oh no. This beautiful creature, crafted in His own image, tastes like desire and has an aroma of victory.
This, my friends, is the crux of my love for Dave's Fresh Pasta.
Protip: The Prosciutto and Fig, the Caprese w/ Prosciutto, and the Chicken Pesto. That is all. -
Review from Rachel T.
1/19/2012 3 photos
Dave makes me want to pack up my life in Philadelphia and move to Somerville, MA. It makes me want to trade cheesesteaks fa chowda once again, except this time it would be cheesesteaks for really amazing pasta..
One of my best friends is getting married next month. She's not really a party girl, but she loves cooking. All in all, planning a bitch-lorette for her wasn't as simple as 1-2-3 party bus. Throwing flour at the bride sounded like just as good of an idea as any stupid pole dancing class. So I called up Dave, and he agreed to (or agreed to have on of his employees) do a class for 10-12 people.
When we got there, we had brie, olive tapenade, crackers, and wine waiting for us. The kitchen is not a fancy show kitchen, it's the back of house of a Boston area pasta shop, but that just adds to the atmosphere. The instructor, Jason, knew his sh*t. He taught us how to make dough, how to mix the ingredients, knead it, store it, and let it rise. He showed us what it should look and feel like and when. Then we rolled out the dough to make fettucini, spaghettini, ravioli and tortellini. Jason was patient when we insisted on throwing flour at each other and creating tortellini in shapes unlike anything acceptable to anyone. He was patient when we experimented with oval shaped and stop sign shaped ravioli.
Jason then showed us how to make a brilliant sauce from lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil and thyme. Then from browned butter. Although the fillings for the ravioli were made already, they were delicious. By the time we ate we were all starving, but even if we weren't it would have been a great meal anyway. I highly recommend this place for a class, although a bit steep at $50/person it was well worth it for a memorable event like this (bachelorette, team-building exercise, family gathering.) Every time I'm in Boston I'm going to try to make it back to this place.. if not for a class then for some legit foodstuffs. -
Review from Marilyn C.
Cambridge, MA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I have never written a review for Dave's! I love this place. They have the best sandwiches in Boston hands down. It is such a delightful place despite usually being extremely crowded. Delightful in the sense it has so many of my favorite things - amazing sandwiches with great bread, wine, cheese, fresh pasta! Did I mention they have Plainville Turkey - yay, go upstate NY!
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Review from Carly Z.
Boston, MA
3/25/2012
The only reason I come here is because I'm Italian, live right around the corner, and I can get things here that I can't get without an out-of-the-way trip to the North End. But not on Sundays, because they're old school. Besides that, they're overpriced and the fresh pasta isn't even that good. Also, they're starting to outsource too much (even if it's local) and not make things that should be easy to make in-house (pizza dough).
Actually, now that I'm writing this, I realized that I can't even get some things that I'd like for them to carry...like Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese...seriously, you're a fresh pasta/Italian specialty store...how can you not carry Locatelli? I despise pre-grated parmesan cheese. Blech. Instant downgrade to 2 stars. -
Review from Sofia B.
Somerville, MA
2/2/2012
So fresh, so fly.
This place is heaven. It's a wine/grocery/fish/meat/pasta shop! It's great that they use their very fresh ingredients, but it's how cohesive and experimental their recipes are that make this place and their sandwiches irresistible. You can't complain about the price because you *really* can't make this at home. If you can, open a shop and the people will follow.
I love a good chef who's not afraid of using too much EVOO.
Tip: Pair your sandwiches with their Maine Root's Lemon Lime Soda; cuts through a heavy lamb sandwich. -
Review from Martha V.
Boston, MA
2/16/2012
If only I lived closer to Davis square.....
Took a class here awhile back and it was great. Informal, informative and downright fun!
Never been dissappointed by the pasta and the knowledge of the folks who work here. Most recently had the scallops and leek pasta. Terrific!
What makes this a destination is not only their fresh pasta but their Vermouth selection. Impressive. My manhattans improved 100%!!! -
Review from C D.
Somerville, MA
4/9/2012
I am obsessed with this place,ALL sandwiches are amazing & the pasta is sooo good! They so many options and its a cute little store with different cheeses,sauces and wine!
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Review from James H.
Somerville, MA
12/14/2011
Its Dave's.
If you complain about the service, its your fault for being super sensitive. Besides, you're clearly in the minority. Are you really going to let "the way some hipster looked at you" keep you away from some of the best food in town? -
Review from Travis D.
Somerville, MA
3/23/2012
Dave's is a hidden gem in-between Davis and teele square that anyone in a 50 mile radius should come check out. I just recently discovered Dave's and I am addicted. Their sandwiches are unreal and fresh as can be. Their soups are also amazing and change every time go in. The only downside of Dave's is that you won't be able to eat sandwiches anywhere else anymore because they just won't be as good as what you can get at Dave's. Go check it out for yourself you won't regret it.
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Review from Jonathan L.
Somerville, MA
5/1/2012
This place has excellent fresh pasta. Their sandwiches are also very delicious and extremely fresh. This place is great to go to for a quick bite
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Review from Aaron G.
Swampscott, MA
2/22/2012
I didn't know what a ham sandwich was. All these years I thought I had been eating and enjoying them, when they were actually false ham sandwiches. Dave's Fresh Pasta makes the True Ham Sandwich. It is Pork that unites them, the Pork that binds them, the One True Pork that rules them all. It's the kind of sandwich that, when bit into, makes you start swearing to yourself in a language that you never learned. It's a holy experience and it grants the gift of tongues so that you can express your adulation and enjoyment for all to hear.
There's a little bar with stools by the window where you can go and hunch your shoulders and eat your sandwich like a caged animal protecting its dwindling food stash by devouring it all at once. I have thought of ordering two sandwiches and pretending that one was for a friend who 'forgets' to show up, and then of course I have to eat that sandwich because it can't go to waste. This is the kind of place that makes your brain create crazy rationalizing role-plays to convince yourself that it's normal and healthy to eat six pounds of sandwiches in one sitting. -
Review from Rose T.
Somerville, MA
Updated - 3/29/2012
I just can't get enough of Dave's. The selection of hot sauce alone (seriously, it has it's own wall) would keep me coming back. The homemade pasta and fact that they stock kombucha (only place around that does) are also pretty good reasons.
The only issue I have with this place is that it stocks bottled water. For a shop that prides itself on offering such quality local, sustainably-made products, I'm surprised that this one slipped under the radar. It's pretty well-known that bottled water is often just filtered tap water, and the amount of plastic waste is outrageous for something that you could just as easily get, for free, out of the tap.
I'm sure Dave's a smart guy--he runs a pretty successful business, and they seem pretty conscious about most of the purchasing--so I'm sure he's thought of this. The question is: why keep selling it?
Unrelated note: I want to marry whoever made my sandwich the last time I was in there. Not sure which of the tall men it was (there seem to be a number who work there), and not sure what they did to make it so delicious, but damn, I want you to bring me breakfast in bed.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/6/2011
Dave's reminds me of my days in Nam--the food is great, the people are numb to the world.
Which isn't… Read more »
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Review from kate n.
Somerville, MA
12/11/2011
I live for Dave's Fresh Pasta.
This isn't even an exaggeration. When I think about why I love living in Davis Square, this is reason number 1. From their amazing homemade pasta that is an annual late night holiday afterparty tradition, to the meatballs I claimed were "homemade" by me, to the sandwiches, the wine, the cheese, and the prosciutto, and everything else. It's all just too fabulous for words.
Run, sprint, fly to Dave's! -
Review from Andrea B.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
The delicious aroma that reached my nostrils far before I reached the front door of Dave's Fresh Pasta told me that this was going to be a pretty darn good lunch. And pretty darn good it was.
Dave's Fresh Pasta sells...well, fresh pasta (big surprise), but my review is based solely on the deli sandwiches. I ordered the Avocado BLT, which is pretty self-explanatory - bacon, romaine, tomato, and mayo, with big chunks of delicious avocado. You get to choose your bread from an assortment that is made fresh daily, and once you taste it, you can tell. I had my BLT on a toasted French baguette.
It was scrumptious. The sandwich itself was pretty big, but I gobbled it up. As I bit into it, my mouth was greeted with generous amounts of bacon and avocado chunks, and just the right amount of tomato (which is important to me since I don't always like tomato on a sandwich). However, when I started on the second half of the sandwich, I was slightly disappointed to discover that there was slightly less avocado and significantly more bacon than the first half.
Regardless, at the end of the meal, I was a pretty happy camper. So happy that I decided to buy another sandwich to go (Seriously, who does that?? Me, that's who.). I got a sun-dried tomato turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. Topped with sun-dried tomato pesto, asiago cheese, caramelized onion, and spinach, this sandwich was even better than the BLT.
Considering Dave's is a short ten minute bus ride from where I live, and considering their sandwiches are really fantastic, I know it is a place I will be frequenting often. There are a lot of sandwiches on the menu, and I want to try them all! -
Review from Jessica B.
Somerville, MA
4/23/2012
It was a little pricey but overall worth it. The wrap i got was supreme to all others.
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Review from Dara C.
9/27/2011 ROTD 2/11/2012
I know this place has a million and five reviews but what the hell, might as well throw my hat in the ring.
Almost everything that this place turns out is amazing. I've only had two homemade pastas (one squid ink linguine that was to die for, and one butternut squash ravioli that was even better.) It's right there in the name, folks: fresh pasta. And what's even better is that most pastas aren't that expensive, at $3-5 for a pound of the stringy stuff and somewhat more for the ravs (up to $13 for the nicey-nice lobster types.) Worth it when you consider the cost of a box of the dried shelf kind; sure, it's only $0.50 but the human cost is so much more. (And by human cost, I mean your wailing, rending of garments, gnashing of teeth and sad, cheaply-filled tummy.)
The sandwiches at Dave's are also worth trying, with the exception of an underwhelming Italian. I know, I'm a horrible person. It was just too olive-oily and the cheese, though good Provolone, was absolutely slick with the stuff. But if that's all I can complain about, then fiddlesticks. The hippie salad is tasty and surprisingly filling, for being little more than a big pile of rabbit food (the tamari-tahini dressing is fantastic) and my coworker's roasted lamb wrap almost drove me to tears, it smelled so good.
I would love to spend time perusing the grocery section. Which I will probably do this Saturday ... if anyone would like to bankroll my costly robiola habit? -
Review from Brad L.
11/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Holy crap! I can't get enough of this place.
Before my first visit, I poured over the menu, dutifully studying all the pastas, cheeses, sauces, sandwiches and other deliciousness they have for sale.
On my first visit, I picked up some fresh Chard & Roasted Garlic Ravioli and some of their Tomato Sauce with Mascarpone. The combination was exceptional.
They also make their own Boursin at Dave's, which is essentially a cream cheese, flavored with garlic, salt and a few other things. It's a really nice combination of subtle flavors - great for eating with water crackers or crisp breads while you're cooking your pasta.
On my next visit I had the roasted lamb sandwich with feta on a ciabatta roll. It was probably the best lamb sandwich I've ever had. I wouldn't get it again though, only because the sandwich menu at Dave's looks so good, I want to try everything.
They also have a large selection of frozen pastas, but when the place is called Dave's Fresh Pasta, it really seems like a mistake to take home something frozen, no matter how good it might be.
Anyway, based on my experience so far, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I can't wait to go back.
Warning: NOT OPEN ON SUNDAY. -
Review from Sugartime X.
Boston, MA
2/11/2012
Dont find many places like this around here! All good quality, nice frozen lasagna selections and reasonable... Funky cool and crowded!! Always worth a visit!
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Review from Cody S.
Peabody, MA
2/20/2012
Dave's is great little pasta shop , the type of place everyone wishes they had down the street. As for the pasta and ravioli they have many choices something for any sauce . They also have a small selection of beer,wine, dairy , produces and other gourmet item. Many which are a little other priced but high quality. The service can be friendly or rather rude and curt.
Beware of the parking meters=tickets =expensive pasta and they closed on Sundays otherwise a great place. -
Review from Molly S.
Dorchester, MA
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've lived in greater Boston for five+ years, two of them IN Somerville, and I didn't go to Dave's Fresh Pasta until this past month.
I'm ashamed of myself for squandering so much Davis Square time in less worthy establishments. Dave's Fresh Pasta is pretty much everything that matters to me in life. Fresh, local ingredients for my own cooking, inventive sandwiches when I'm feeling lazy, or on-the-go. And a melange of neat spices, that normally I'd have to go to ten different stores for. Oh, and there's wine and beer? And Pasta? Pinch me!
I'd like the option to franchise Dave's please, call me. -
Review from Alex B.
There once was a guy from the Garden State
and moving to Davis Square became his fate.
On day 1 he decided he needed some yummy food
So he used his awesome yelp app to not get screwed.
He chose to take a stroll down the block
To a food place that other users said would rock.
Finally, into Dave's he wandered
Where he stood reading the menu and pondered.
Oh there were so many sandwich choices,
And all he heard were other customers voices.
It was time him to make a decision
In which there would be no revision.
He decided on a grilled cubano panini
Which he saw behind the counter looking not teeny.
While waiting he didn't want to bore
So he took a walk around the store.
He saw wines, beers, pastas, sauces, produce, and cheese
And quickly asked, "Can I try the truffle one, please?"
Soon the guy with the food called out his name,
and then he handed his credit card to the dame.
A sandwich and drink run about ten bucks
Which is pricing that hardly sucks.
A $10 lunch can be hard to explain to his future sweetie,
But as mentioned before these things are huge and meaty.
He has already came here with 3 separate friends
In hopes that his lunching experience never ends.
Since this place is open until 7:30 each night
Trying each menu item is most definitely in sight
And folks, let's not ignore that they have classes to make pasta
Because of this he shouted, "I will be signing up for these. I hasta"Listed in: Munchin and Lunchin, Take it to the Bank
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Review from Christina M.
Somerville, MA
11/22/2011
If you have some extra cash to buy some nice savory treats, sandwiches, or pastas, definitely come to Dave's and splurge. You won't regret the delectable bites they offer on truly delicious food.
As everyone has stated, they make some delicious sandwiches, and I had a grilled chicken one that was melt-in-your-mouth good. I just loved the toasty bread, juicy tomatoes, and giant slices of fresh mozzarella. I was also able to try their fresh ravioli for the first time, and the roasted chicken flavor was awesome. I've tried fresh ravioli at local restaurants before, but Dave's packed the most flavor and best texture of them all. I was surprised they had so many varieties to choose from, and can't wait to go back and try their korean bbq short rib ravioli. Sounds exotic!
My husband's favorite part about Dave's, however, was hands down the marinara sauce. It was so fresh, so flavorful, so jam packed with chunky tomato goodness, that it surpassed finger-licking good status. He literally took a spoon and scraped the pot clean of every morsel of sauce. That was after he scraped the sauce off of my plate. I know, he can be a little savage sometimes, but food this good should certainly not be wasted! -
Review from Laura K.
11/9/2011
Great spot to lunch with a friennnnn on a sunny fall day in Davis; and, by "lunch with a friennnnn" I of course mean:
1. Order sandwich or wrap on-pita-not-tortilla.
2. Sample everything -- pass on the mini stinky cheese.
3. Wait patiently for name to be called. "That's me!" Then pay.
4. Grab a seat indoors or outdoors.
5. Drop sandwich contents onto chest/into scarf/everywhere.
6. #saveforlater
This place has 4837495 great reviews for a reason. Go early and often. You're welcome. -
Review from Adam P.
Medford, MA
2/29/2012
Delicious gourmet sandwiches. More than I'd normally pay for lunch, but not too much to keep me from going back for more. I've tried a few of their sandwiches and never been disappointed. Bread is delicious, deli meats are spot on as well. Great option in Davis Square.
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Review from Adam N.
East Boston, Boston, MA
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food. Crumby service. Too pricey. Some of the staff has just been there too long. Food service staff at this level should be a revolving door of well trained smiling employees. Not a career path.
Drop the attitude. It's not the customers fault you're stuck there doing something "beneath" you. -
Review from Heather G.
Boston, MA
8/9/2011
I cannot think of even one thing that could make this place better than it is. NOT EVEN ONE THING.
For some reason, I was under the impression that this was a little pasta trattoria, so not being that into spaghetti, I avoided it for a very long time. Thanks to our lovely Community Manager, I was forced to go head-on into the lunch experience at Dave's Fresh Pasta a few weeks back, and I'm so glad I did!
First off, I had no idea this place was a convenience store. Of course, I use the term "convenience store" very liberally, as this is nothing like a 7-11 or Store 24. No, this place packs all the gourmet/local/artisanal products you could ever dream of craving (yes, we're talking the deconstructed version of food porn) into a tiny little storefront space. Floor to ceiling, there's so much to look at, pick up, examine, and break your budget to buy. Not that any one thing is particularly expensive, mind you. Rather, you end up going in for 1 thing but coming home with 20 things you just "really needed".
They have kombucha (!!!), they have craft beers, they have local chocolates, they have an impressive spice collection, they have meat and cheese and bread and all the fixins for a KILLER picnic.
Then, there are the sandwiches. On a large board, they list their deli sandwich choices, and cross out anything they're out of for the day. The bread choices alone (not just in numbers but in actual selection) had me scratching my head for 10 minutes. Finally, with some coaxing, I went with the cubano (hell, our CM swears by it so who am I to try and reinvent the wheel) on some crusty, toasted, thickly-sliced bread, grabbed a kombucha from the cooler, and went outside to enjoy my meal on one of their tiny (yet charming) little sidewalk tables.
Seriously, the sandwiches are incredible. The breads are fresh. The store makes me want to reallocate my tuition money to my food budget.
Damien, I owe you for this one. -
Review from Jenna D.
Somerville, MA
12/16/2011
I went into Dave's planning to grab a bottle of wine and some pasta for dinner. Found great options in both categories and happily went up to the register to pay ... where I was offered a free sandwich. I'm not really a sandwich gal, but after ascertaining its legitimacy ( ... "is this a roofie sandwich?"), I said of course I would take the free sandwich.
It was amazing. As was the pasta, which I ate the next day. As was the bottle of wine.
Since then, I have also learned that it pays to peruse Dave's shelves; they have some seriously random and delicious things sitting in jars just waiting for you to take them home. They are also one of the few local places where you can get legit Key Lime juice. Random + Delicious.
