Dining Out Boston

Watertown doesn't have a reputation as a dining hotspot, but there are a few places worth the multiple connection MBTA trek. One of these standout restaurants is Wild Willy's Burgers, which wins high marks for its sensational burgers and kitschy charm.

I first went to Wild Willy's on a tip from a friend, who warned me about its blink-and-you'll-miss-it locale. The dark red exterior and simple yellow sign are reminiscent of underachieving smaller-chain restaurants, making it easy for passerby to reject it in favor of nearby Friendly's or Old Country Buffet. Once you make it inside Wild Willy's you're immediately struck by the landscape mural on the far wall, the large, open kitchen, and the monstrous chuckwagon in the center of the dining room.

If faux Western artifacts don't entice you, the menu surely will. Wild Willy's proudly serves certified Angus Beef burgers ($5.75) with a variety of clever topping combinations. In past visits I've always opted for the "Bubba BBQ" burger with BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, and pickles, which is drippy and delicious. Yesterday, in deference to my New Year's resolution to try new things, I went instead for the "Wicked Good" burger, with sauteed onions and mushrooms, and swiss and cheddar cheeses.

The burger was freakin' incredible. The meat was tender, juicy, and not too salty, with a pinkish center just like I ordered (I believe meat cooked well done is meat cooked badly, so I always order my burgers medium rare). Wild Willy's pays as much attention to fixin's as they do the burger, which means the bun is always slightly buttered and toasted, the cheeses thickly cut, and the onions and mushrooms well-seasoned and not overcooked.

Along with your burger I recommend a small side order of battered onion rings ($3) or hand-cut fries ($2) and a large draft root beer ($2.50). For additional indulgence try the Sarsparilla and Cream Soda ($1.50) or a creamy frappe ($4.25).

Service is slower than fast food but faster than a sit-down joint. After placing your order at the counter, you're free to sit down in one of the many wooden booths to slurp your soda await the delivery of your burger. With no gratuity and reasonable prices, a dinner at Wild Willy's certainly won't empty your wallet. It will, however, cause you to invent excuses in the following months for mealtime trips to Watertown….

The Info
Wild Willy's Burgers
46 Arsenal St.
Watertown, MA
www.wildwillysburgers.com