This past Sunday May 23, 2011 the Boston Globe did their yearly article on The Top Spots to live…. In reading the article, I found that Waltham was the runner up in the Top Spot to live for food lovers category.

After reading the article, I started thinking about all of my favorite places to eat and took a little mental drive around Waltham to review some of my favorite places to get some good grub.

I first started with the Chateau Restaurant on School St. This place is a Waltham institution. For a true red sauce Italian joint you just can’t beat this place. I grew up eating here and so many of my friend and family have too. Their pizza is one of the best in the city and who can’t forget the toasted ravioli.

My next mental stop and a Waltham good eats is Sadie’s Saloon on Pine St. This place cooks up incredible steak tips, with mashed potato (yes, the may be instant), veggie (usually corn) and gravy. I am almost certain that this place was the first restaurant in Waltham to serve wings.

Continuing forward, I stopped at little place called Taquaria Mexico on Felton St. This simple Mexican restaurant offers the best, authentic Mexican cooking in the area at very affordable prices. Everything on the menu is tasty all served with home made salsa, both green and red served with hand made nacho chips. It originally started on Prospect Street but soon needed a little more space where they found a nice building on Felton St.

Moving on, another favorite eatery is Bison County on Moody St. They serve a delectable bison burger (buffalo meat). Other menu favorites are their spicy chicken wings in a Carolina bbq sauce, hush puppies, and loaded nacho’s. They also have a wide verity of micro-brewed beers on tap which changes regularly.

Next on my tour of Waltham, I have to mention a nice little Asian place called, Tom Can Cook on Moody St. It is one of my favorite Asian eateries. Its claim to fame is Asian fusion, which is a mix of Chinese, Thai and Japanese. They have rice dishes, noodle dishes and always offer every menu item as vegetarian dish too. A nice appetizer is their Tofu tempura. The décor is clean simple and bright with lots of color making it a fun place to eat.

When I’m in the mood to stuff myself with a big ol’ sub, I have two favorite shops. One is of course Carl’s on Prospect St. and the other is Lena’s Sub on Main St. Carl’s makes a steak bomb that is out of control and then there is their legendary burrito’s. I almost think they weigh in excess of 5lbs of stuffed goodness. Lena’s specialties are their meatball or tuna fish sub. Even as a kid, when my dad wanted a sub, it was always Lena’s.

I want to finish with one place in particular which, is in a class of its own. It’s fine dining Waltham style. The place is La Campania on Main St. This place is amazing. Each plate is cooked to order from a small specialized menu which changes on a regular basis. The food is exquisite and their wine list is extensive. The staff is attentive and well versed about the wines. I do have to say this place is pricey but very worth it and you can easily make a whole evening out of dining there.

I could be here all day talking about all my favorite eats. I want to sum it up and just say YUM. Other places I haven’t even mentioned are, Tempo Bistro on Moody St, Tuscan Grill on Moody St, Skelleg on Moody St, Watch City Brewery on Moody St, Wilsons Diner on Main St, and the Shoppers Café on Moody St. with dozens more still on my list.

Waltham has great food and there is something for everyone. After thinking about all my favorite places in Waltham to eat, I have to agree, Waltham is a lover city. I would actually call it the #1 place to live and not #2. I am very proud to be part of this wonderful community every day.

To see what the Boston Globe Magazine wrote click here for the link.