Great Restaurants in the Amherst Area

Here is a page dedicated to reviewing restaurants in the Amherst, Mass. area. Whether a student from one of the 5-colleges or visiting Amherst for the first time, we'll provide you with food reviews of some of the best local food around. From sushi, to Italian, to burgers and fries, our review page has something for everyone!

Judy's Restaurant 

November 15, 2012

A recent shopping trip to the center of Amherst, Mass. worked up my appetite for good Italian-American food. Luckily, Judy's Restaurant was conveniently located right in the heart of the town. Judy's is a fun, homey place to eat for those with a hearty appetite.
The small restaurant serves great food for students, families, and people of all ages. 

Whether at the bar or tucked in a comfy corner of the restaurant, you'll see colorful artwork including several paintings done by local artists for sale.

The food at Judy's is delicious. My order of the Mediterranean Salad is a pile of fresh greens and spinach leaves topped with spiced chicken strips, calamata olives, artichoke hearts, red and green peppers, corn and cucumbers tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Each dish is served with a large piece of french bread to top off the meal.
While a friend opted for something with more of  home-made taste with the Pasta Carbonara. Sauteed chicken strips and smoked sausage filled a plate of bacon and peas on top of fettuccine pasta and cheese ravioli, mixed in a delicious Garlic Cream Sauce.

The large portioned meals are priced appropriately and will leave you with no room for dessert- but if you get the chance, be sure to try a piece of the made-fresh-daily mudslide pie. Two warm Tollhouse cookies make up the pie crust of this decadent indulgence.

Judy's in Amherst Review: 5 Thumbs Up!
For an online menu from Judy's, click here!


Photo Credit

-Lindsay

Route 9 Diner

November 20, 2012

Don't be fooled by the small size of the Route 9 Diner in Hadley, Mass. The menu will have your mouth watering before the second page, and there are six more pages to it- not including daily specials.

The Route 9 Diner is open 24/7, and looks like it came straight out of a time-warp. Photographs of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley hang above tables while many young students browse the music selection of the mini jukeboxes on each table. From Frank Sinatra classics to classics of the 90's like N'Sync and T.L.C, music plays throughout the diner and puts smiles on the faces of any happy and satisfied customers. 

The diner is a hotspot for many locals, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings, college students pack into the restaurant's cushion-seated booths and order stacks of blueberry, M&M, banana, or apple cinnamon-sugar pancakes.

However, as many college students are just starting their breakfast, noon time rears and I want a spicy buffalo chicken wrap and waffle fries for lunch.

The order comes out with a pickle on the side and I know right away by the delicious smell- this is good diner food, and it was!

Returning to the diner has now practically become a weekly tradition. The menu ranges from Greek style wraps, to delicious Italian pasta combinations, to fresh baked slices of home-made American apple pie. With such a huge variety of options, the Route 9 Diner is sure to have something for everyone.
Photo Credit

-Lindsay

The Lone Wolf

November 21, 2012

photo credit

This breakfast and lunch joint is best know for their sweet morning specials. They offer delicious crepes, pancakes and waffles galore, and at a great price! With plenty of seating awaiting your arrival, there is hardly ever a wait to get your breakfast or lunch fix in in time to get your day started.

The Lone Wolf will not let you down when it comes to a hearty meal. The portion sizes are great for sharing, or if you're really hungry you might be able to finish your own!

Another unique quality of this delicious Main Street hot-spot is that they cater! And according to the reviews and short "Thank You" letters written head chef Rob Watson, they are quite good at what they do when it comes to hosting parties. 

I wouldn't miss your opportunity to get a great breakfast walking distance from the UMass campus. There's even a bus that stops almost right outside! If I were you, I would recommend one of their unique entrees, like their latkes or bagel and lox.

To see The Lone Wolf's full menu, click here!

-Sophie

The Black Sheep

photo credit

November 21, 2012

This spot is, hands down, my favorite eatery in Amherst. Whether I am in search of a delicious sandwich or a pick-me-up vanilla iced chai, I know that The Black Sheep will never let me down.

The Lone Wolf is unique in many ways, as it offers lunch options for every type of eating preference. From freshly baked gluten-free bread, to big fresh salads, all the way to make-your-own one of a kind sandwiches, with options that will make your mouth water with just a glance.

When I go to the Black Sheep, I almost always enjoy a sandwich that covers all the bases of what I'm craving that day. (It usually has a lot of brie cheese, and a lot of sprouts.) I usually finish the delicious meal with a house made danish that was almost always freshly baked that morning. 

When it comes to The Black Sheep, you really can't go wrong. And, when you go in and get your first fix and realize that it's amazing, I would highly recommend using their funky, right-out-of-the-80s atmosphere to host a family party, anniversary, or other special event.

To get more information on this, or check out their whole menu, visit The Black Sheep's website by clicking here!!!

-Sophie