Bartley's Burger Cottagesimilar businesses >

617-354-6559
City's Best

1246 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Average Rating 4 (35 Ratings)

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A bit of friendly advice: Keep your elbows in and forget about personal space when you get seated at Bartley's, where the tables are close and it's always packed. The crowd is a testament to the popularity of this Harvard Square institution, and reflects its homey atmosphere, which includes walls crowded with street signs and memorabilia as well as a crowded menu exhorting all sorts of toppings for its signature burgers. The cheeky Mr. B has been serving burgers here for more than 40 years, but keeps it timely with his continually updated burger titles. Which do you prefer: the Dick Cheney ("just a heartbeat away") or the John Edwards ("a pretty burger")? Don't forget sweet-potato fries (worth the extra cost), award-winning frappes and onion rings. Also in keeping with the times, Bartley's offers low-carb fare and salads. The sidewalk seating is a great chance to avoid the crowds and soak in Harvard Square's eclectic and entertaining sights as you sip Bartley's perfect raspberry-lime rickey. That's about as strong as your drinks will get; Bartley's does not serve alcohol.

Categories: Restaurants, Restaurants-Burgers

Picture for Bartley's Burger Cottage

35 Ratings and Reviews

  • Review rating : 5out of 5   Johnjbmarine - 01/23/2009

  • DO NOT GO HERE!

    Review rating : 1out of 5   JeffChesterRule - 11/01/2008

    I had gone to Bartley's once before when I was in college with 2 friends. So I knew that the place was incredibly cramped and crowded to say the least. My boyfriend has a love for burgers and wanted to try Bartley's out so I agreed. We came apparently during the lunch rush where you have to order your food while waiting in line OUTSIDE. That was the first downer. The second was that we had to sit at one of those tables w/ 2 people at another table blocking us from getting in and out as needed. It's pretty damn pathetic to have to ask someone if you can get in and out of your own seat! Also, it's not the best place for larger people... The third downer was the cash only part. Yeah, they have an ATM inside and ironically we were seated right next to it! But that doesn't make it any easier or convenient when you don't carry cash. Also when we went to the cashier and I asked if I could leave a tip for the waitress, she was incredibly rude! I almost asked for the tip back! All that girl has to do is cash out the customers. Yeesh!
    As for our food, I don't like what they put in all their burgers so I got a Ken Reeves (turkey club sandwich) and my boyfriend got a burger supreme. When he lifted the bun to put the lettuce and tomato in it, I saw how burned the burger was (he asked for medium rare). GROSS. For someone who loves burgers, he didn't seem to hype up his burger very much once he tasted it so I know it was crappy. The only real decent thing about the food was the oreo frappe I got, and that took forever anyways which kind of ruined it for me. And our waitress had no waitress manners in asking if we wanted refills or anything. It definitely was NOT worth the money to come here. All I can say is: NEVER AGAIN!

  • Waste of money

    Review rating : 1out of 5   sully52598 - 09/12/2008

    I finally went here after all the hype and was completely bummed out. The service was rude and the appertizers cold. The burgers taste like an old greasy frying pan (bad after taste) and price was 9 to 10 a burger with fries or rings. One thing is the onion rings are the ONLY half decent tasting thing on the whole menu. So take my advice an I eat out and travel a lot the best place to have a REAL burger is in Somerville R F O'Sullivan;s and thats that. TRUST ME! This is no plug for Sully's but hands down Sully's has the BEST!

  • Review rating : 3out of 5   Sigdelt78 - 07/25/2008

  • Geeezzzzzz.....

    Review rating : 4out of 5   Rbemben1 - 06/27/2008

    Some of these folks must be stuffy old Gourmands - if you just want a good burger & stuff go to Mr Bartly's in Harvard Sq.

    If presentation is at the top of your card, go blow a lotta buck$ at some 1st class eatery in Bawston.

Showing 1 - 5 of 35 reviews