By Michael Creta
One way to save money but still treat yourself in Boston is by eating at inexpensive restaurants like Thornton’s Fenway Grille, which are heavy on selection but light on the wallet.
This local sports bar and grill, located at 100 Peterborough St., serves about 20 different appetizers, almost a dozen types of hamburgers and several seafood dishes. Eleven of the selections are named after locations throughout Boston, like the Back Bay Fens, the Bunker Hill and the Isabella Gardner. Some of the burgers are also named after famous Jack Nicholson movies like “The Departed” and “The Shining.”
“Burgers are one of the most popular items on the menu because of the catchy names,” said Thornton’s hiring manager Alissa Nowak.
One of the locale’s other specialties is rib night on Wednesdays, where customers can eat an unlimited supply of ribs for $12. Besides ribs and burgers, Thornton’s is a hot spot because of their daily brunch.
“Their weekend brunch is easily the greatest hangover cure within a mile of Northeastern,” said Joe Beare, a junior journalism major. “It’s a great spot for students, young professionals and sports fans looking for good food without breaking the bank.”
In addition to an inexpensive menu, Thornton’s is also within a few blocks of Fenway Park and several college campuses including Northeastern, Emmanuel and Simmons.
Boston University senior Emily Hostage said she likes hanging out at Thornton’s to watch sporting events.
“It isn’t as busy as some of the bars that are closer to Fenway,” she said.
Visitors to the local haunt may even have a chance to meet a Red Sox player, as players frequent the restaurant, Nowak said.
Pitchers Mike Timlin and Jonathan Papelbon, along with other Red Sox players, have been spotted chowing down at Thornton’s, she said.
Thornton’s also offers a bar, with neon beer signs that decorate the area, as well as Red Sox posters that can be spotted along the walls. However, there is seating is limited because the bar fits about 10 people.
Weather permitting, customers can also eat lunch outside on the patio. Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Bruins games are broadcast on three big screen TVs mounted along the back wall. But due to the lack of seats, enthusiastic fans frequently have to cram into the small room to watch the sports games.
Parking can be difficult to find, especially after 6 p.m., because most meter spots are reserved for residents only. Students should ditch the wheels and walk to Thornton’s, considering the grill is only 0.6 miles from campus.
Hostage said Thornton’s Fenway Grille has a local flavor that adds to the overall atmosphere. Many of the customers are regulars and some of them even visit the bar daily. These regulars are often native Bostonians who know most of the people working behind the counter. Eating at the local restaurant can provide college students with a good alternative to overdone tourist destinations like Quincy Market.
