Going to Boston? Try Bob’s Italian Foods
Over the past several months, I have been taking my daughter to visit schools so she can figure out where she wants to attend college. After a few of these scouting trips, the college information sessions started to sound the same and although the campus tours were unique and offered a glimpse of student life, I learned to make the trips more interesting by finding great places to eat or markets in the towns we visit. On a recent road trip to Medford, Massachusetts (5 miles northwest of central Boston), I found a place called Bob’s Italian Foods that Zagat gave a resounding 26 out of 30 prompting me to plan a stop for lunch.
Bob’s Italian Foods is nothing to look at from the outside. In fact, I would have driven right by had I not been aware of its Zagat score. Don’t be put off by the exterior because the interior and the food experience that awaits those that venture forth couldn’t be more different from the facade.
Park at one of the spaces in front of the building and walk through the 60’s style front doors to find yourself in a small Italian grocery store with the shelves and aisles meticulously lined from floor to ceiling with imported pasta, olive oil, vinegar, cakes, cookies, spices, sauces, fresh bread and more. Freezers filled with frozen pastas and refrigerated cases of fresh cheeses, both cured and fresh meats, salads, and prepared foods line the side of one wall with numerous staff to help you make selections. 
Continue to the back of the building where orders for freshly prepared hot dishes, sandwiches, and salads are taken and prepared. The choices are overwhelming (pastas, calzones, pizzas and more) but the service is quick and the food is absolutely delicious.
We ordered a duo dish to go (since Bob’s is primarily a take-out and catering business): eggplant parmesan and baked ziti that came with a side salad and a fresh round Italian bread roll for $10. Eggplant parmesan can be tricky to order because more often than not, the dish can be soggy but not Bob’s. Crispy on the outside with moist flavorful eggplant inside, the eggplant parmesan was excellent as was the ziti which was cooked al dente. Smothered in homemade tomato sauce with just enough cheese baked in, each bite was better than the next.
The servings are huge and piping hot. Packed in a large standard square white foam take out container, the eggplant and ziti were overflowing. Had we known, we would have ordered one entrée and split the dish because neither of us could finish our portions as we sat in the back seat of the car enjoying the best meal we had in weeks while watching the myriads of customers go in and out the front door of Bob’s. There were people in business suits, construction crews, mothers with young children, academics, students, and everyone in between – the people watching was nearly as interesting as the food. The car was quiet and the windows steamed from the vapor of the hot food and we barely spoke except to repeat “This is really, really good.” When we were done, I turned to my daughter and suggested she find a college in Boston because I could happily nourish myself at Bob’s Italian Foods on future visits.
Located in downtown Medford on Main Street, Bob’s Italian Foods has an extensive take out menu and a catering menu that makes trays/pans to provide single dishes, serve 3-4 persons (x-small), 6-8 persons (small), 15-20 persons (medium), and 20-25 persons (large) at very reasonable prices. Open 7 days a week, Bob’s Italian is truly a landmark and a great place to experience authentic Italian food.
Bob’s Italian Foods
324 Main Street
Medford, MA 02155
781-395-0400
Paddock Post 
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