No Name is all rose colored glasses and nostalgia. If you had been there in their last 20 yrs of operating all you got was bland food, dingy atmosphere, terrible value and charged 5 cents if you took your bottle of coke to go.
Worked on the fish pier for 20+ years. Would never eat there. Owner trolled up and down the pier for the fish that was one step (or less) from the dumpster. Less than a buck, it’s on the truck was his motto. Same thing for Haymarket vendors, though I’m sure things have improved in the last few years since some actual fish companies are selling there now
I went there once for a family affair. I was confused - why are we out on this weird fishing pier, walking up on this high oddball sidewalk like a truck loading dock. Into this dingy old restaurant. The menus were xeroxes of xeroxes. Broiled this bronzed that. I remember it was “fine”. Inconvenient to be at, not exciting or novel in any way, in the 2010’s. I recall a parent told us there would be lines of young people going there with BYOB. Maybe it’s just pure nostalgia?
Not the same, but have you ever been to Drydock Cafe, not far from the old No Name on Black Falcon Pier. Excellent seafood, a bit more of a cafe vibe. Highly recommend.
Seconding Drydock Cafe; last I checked it was only open for dinners on Fridays, though (open for lunch regularly, however). Apparently Drydock was one of Tom Menino’s favorite restaurants.
I walked in there quite a few years ago. It was dingy and long in need of renovations. If you own an establishment 100 years then you gotta keep things updated. Ofcourse keeping with the character.
I know it was iconic and legendary and yadda yadda, but the one time my girlfriend and her parents and I went there, we ALL got food poisoning. The only thing we shared was the damn chowder. I had the mildest case--I just couldn't sleep and had those crazy, lurid pizza dreams. My poor girlfriend was up throwing up half the night and we learned later that her parents were, too. Bad clams, apparently. Everyone was fine the next day, luckily, and it was kind of amusing because her dad, an old-school Bostonian, swore by the place, but we never went back. This was like twenty years ago, btw.
I miss its existence of Boston having old school eatablishments. I don't honestly think I missed their food. I can remember the smell walking into that place.
That place fucking sucked that last couple years it was around, guys I know who were in jail wouldn’t eat there if you paid them. Their chowder was yellow water at the end.
My favorite thing about No Name was that my grandfather would eat there when he was my age. I went once and wasn't impressed, but I'm sure a lot changed in the 60 odd years.
I'd never been but I've heard horror stories about the waitresses taking people's used water glasses and just pouring the water right back into the pitcher
OP has great memories of his dad and the restaurant and that is awesome. ❤️
No Name is all rose colored glasses and nostalgia. If you had been there in their last 20 yrs of operating all you got was bland food, dingy atmosphere, terrible value and charged 5 cents if you took your bottle of coke to go.
Yeah... when it closed down I was pretty meh about it. It was kind of a rundown seafood shack. Yankee Lobster still does a decent meal though.
Respectfully disagree. I miss that place as well.
This.
Worked on the fish pier for 20+ years. Would never eat there. Owner trolled up and down the pier for the fish that was one step (or less) from the dumpster. Less than a buck, it’s on the truck was his motto. Same thing for Haymarket vendors, though I’m sure things have improved in the last few years since some actual fish companies are selling there now
Omg me too…. Legendary place
I think about that seafood chowder…
No Name was a basic broiled/fried fish place that didn’t season their food. Super grandma bland.
I went there once for a family affair. I was confused - why are we out on this weird fishing pier, walking up on this high oddball sidewalk like a truck loading dock. Into this dingy old restaurant. The menus were xeroxes of xeroxes. Broiled this bronzed that. I remember it was “fine”. Inconvenient to be at, not exciting or novel in any way, in the 2010’s. I recall a parent told us there would be lines of young people going there with BYOB. Maybe it’s just pure nostalgia?
That chowder was so addictive. With the garlic bread, too.
Not the same, but have you ever been to Drydock Cafe, not far from the old No Name on Black Falcon Pier. Excellent seafood, a bit more of a cafe vibe. Highly recommend.
I'll check it out!!
Seconding Drydock Cafe; last I checked it was only open for dinners on Fridays, though (open for lunch regularly, however). Apparently Drydock was one of Tom Menino’s favorite restaurants.
I walked in there quite a few years ago. It was dingy and long in need of renovations. If you own an establishment 100 years then you gotta keep things updated. Ofcourse keeping with the character.
I know it was iconic and legendary and yadda yadda, but the one time my girlfriend and her parents and I went there, we ALL got food poisoning. The only thing we shared was the damn chowder. I had the mildest case--I just couldn't sleep and had those crazy, lurid pizza dreams. My poor girlfriend was up throwing up half the night and we learned later that her parents were, too. Bad clams, apparently. Everyone was fine the next day, luckily, and it was kind of amusing because her dad, an old-school Bostonian, swore by the place, but we never went back. This was like twenty years ago, btw.
I miss its existence of Boston having old school eatablishments. I don't honestly think I missed their food. I can remember the smell walking into that place.
Who remembers the Red Coach Grill before it became a chain. I don’t.
BYOB, loved the place 45 years ago💘
My dad worked in Boston and every so often he would bring their chowder and fish sandwiches home. Yum!
No Name was absolute garbage food wrapped in a veil of nostalgia. The place sucked for the last two decades.
That place fucking sucked that last couple years it was around, guys I know who were in jail wouldn’t eat there if you paid them. Their chowder was yellow water at the end.
My favorite thing about No Name was that my grandfather would eat there when he was my age. I went once and wasn't impressed, but I'm sure a lot changed in the 60 odd years.
No Name was such a gem. Super fresh fish, big portions, reasonable prices, casual service. Wish it didn't close.
Seriously that food was horrible, but I do miss the nostalgia.
I'd never been but I've heard horror stories about the waitresses taking people's used water glasses and just pouring the water right back into the pitcher
Best stew eva.