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A lo pobre at Machu Chicken
A lo pobre at Machu Chicken
Official Site

Somerville's Sandwiches, Mapped: Union Square & Spring Hill

Welcome to the first in a series of maps dedicated to highlighting sandwiches you should add to your dining repertoire in a particular neighborhood. First, we examine the bread-bound wonders in Somerville's Union Square, and, moving slightly northwest, Spring Hill.

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
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A lo pobre at Machu Chicken
| Official Site
by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Welcome to the first in a series of maps dedicated to highlighting sandwiches you should add to your dining repertoire in a particular neighborhood. First, we examine the bread-bound wonders in Somerville's Union Square, and, moving slightly northwest, Spring Hill. Did we miss your favorite in this neighborhood? Drop a comment below to let us know, and feel free to nominate the neighborhood you'd like to see featured next.

Note: Map points are listed alphabetically, not ranked.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

3 Little Figs

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This cheery Spring Hill coffee shop is a great spot for a light breakfast or lunch. The sandwich selection ranges from $5 to $9.50, and any sandwich can be made on gluten-free bread. Try the Market sandwich: prosciutto, goat cheese from Vermont, fig jam, arugula, tomato, herbs, and olive oil on rustic francese. The Lil' Figgy, pictured, is comprised of almond butter, banana, honey, cinnamon, and seven-grain bread.

278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-3447
(617) 623-3447
Lil' Figgy sandwich/Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

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7ate9 Bakery

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Come for the insanely good and adorably tiny mini cheesecakes; stay for the wraps. (Or maybe have a wrap first, followed by a bite-sized cheesecake. Or several.) Keep an eye on Facebook for occasional updates on what types of wraps are available, or just show up and find out. Pictured, a wrap that showed up in August with roasted chicken, goat cheese, sliced plums, arugula, rice, and blueberry walnut pesto.

199C Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(781) 218-9361
(781) 218-9361
Roasted chicken wrap/Facebook

Bloc 11 Cafe

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Union Square's popular coffee shop features an extensive sandwich menu with loads of vegetarian options. For meat, try the 777 (roast beef, gruyere, roasted onion, garlic mayo, tomato, and greens, served on a baguette). Meatless? Go for the Atticus (Buffalo cauliflower and tempeh, avocado, red onion, tomato, and greens, served on toasted seed and oat).

11 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-0000
(617) 623-0000
Atticus/Facebook

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Brass Union

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Try the BLT (thick bacon, arugula, tomato, and kewpie mayo) or the grilled pork loin sandwich (chili, arugula, and kewpie mayo), each served with fries. Note for night owls: The BLT (and a version with tofu instead of bacon) are available on the current late-night menu, served daily from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

70 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-9211
(617) 623-9211
Grilled pork loin sandwich/Facebook

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Capone Foods

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This fantastic little Italian specialty shop features meats and cheeses, fresh and dry pastas, sauces, and lots more. On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., something magical happens: There are sandwiches, and they are perfect. Served on Clear Four bread, there's a different option each day, including pork ribs on Monday and meatballs on Tuesday. $8.75-$9.75, take-out only, available until 2 p.m. or while supplies last.

14 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-2296
(617) 629-2296
Pork ribs sandwich/Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Highland Kitchen

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This popular Spring Hill spot makes one of the best burgers in town. But if you're a sandwich purist and don't count the burger in that category, there are several real sandwiches on the menu that are sure to satisfy, including a pulled pork sandwich and the Cuban Reuben.

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-1131
(617) 625-1131
Turkey sandwich (not currently on the menu)/Facebook

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J&J Restaurant

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This Portuguese restaurant is hidden in the back of a convenience store on the edge of Union Square. While you'll definitely want to get into the hearty seafood and meat entrees, there are also a selection of hot and cold subs and sandwiches to meet your quick and easy lunch needs.

157 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
A sub/Official Site

Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill

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Although primarily known for its cheap, wonderful charcoal-grilled chicken dishes, this more casual offshoot to Machu Picchu, which is located right around the corner, also features a few must-try, filling sandwiches. Go for El Peruanisimo (roast pork with fried sweet potatoes and salsa criolla) or A Lo Pobre (grilled steak with fried egg, fried plantains, and lettuce).

25 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-7972
(617) 623-7972
A lo pobre/Official Site

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Somerville Brewing Company

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Technically in Boynton Yards, this brewery is just steps away from the edge of Union Square, and what better item to pair with a beer or two than a sandwich (with ingredients that include beer)? Try a Happy Piggy Pulled Pork (Porter Sq. Porter pork, Happy Sol barbecue sauce, cheddar, slaw). There are also turkey, meatball, roast beef, and veggie options.

15 Ward St, Somerville, MA 02143
(800) 428-1150
(800) 428-1150
Pulled pork/Facebook

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The Independent

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There's plenty of comfort food at this Union Square restaurant and bar. The sandwich selection ($13-$15) hits some essential notes — there's a crab cake BLT, a fried chicken sandwich, a pressed Cuban, a Reuben, and a veggie sandwich.

75 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 440-6022
(617) 440-6022
Pressed Cuban/Facebook

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3 Little Figs

278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

This cheery Spring Hill coffee shop is a great spot for a light breakfast or lunch. The sandwich selection ranges from $5 to $9.50, and any sandwich can be made on gluten-free bread. Try the Market sandwich: prosciutto, goat cheese from Vermont, fig jam, arugula, tomato, herbs, and olive oil on rustic francese. The Lil' Figgy, pictured, is comprised of almond butter, banana, honey, cinnamon, and seven-grain bread.

278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-3447
(617) 623-3447
Lil' Figgy sandwich/Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

7ate9 Bakery

199C Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Come for the insanely good and adorably tiny mini cheesecakes; stay for the wraps. (Or maybe have a wrap first, followed by a bite-sized cheesecake. Or several.) Keep an eye on Facebook for occasional updates on what types of wraps are available, or just show up and find out. Pictured, a wrap that showed up in August with roasted chicken, goat cheese, sliced plums, arugula, rice, and blueberry walnut pesto.

199C Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(781) 218-9361
(781) 218-9361
Roasted chicken wrap/Facebook

Bloc 11 Cafe

11 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Union Square's popular coffee shop features an extensive sandwich menu with loads of vegetarian options. For meat, try the 777 (roast beef, gruyere, roasted onion, garlic mayo, tomato, and greens, served on a baguette). Meatless? Go for the Atticus (Buffalo cauliflower and tempeh, avocado, red onion, tomato, and greens, served on toasted seed and oat).

11 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-0000
(617) 623-0000
Atticus/Facebook

Brass Union

70 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

Try the BLT (thick bacon, arugula, tomato, and kewpie mayo) or the grilled pork loin sandwich (chili, arugula, and kewpie mayo), each served with fries. Note for night owls: The BLT (and a version with tofu instead of bacon) are available on the current late-night menu, served daily from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

70 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-9211
(617) 623-9211
Grilled pork loin sandwich/Facebook

Capone Foods

14 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

This fantastic little Italian specialty shop features meats and cheeses, fresh and dry pastas, sauces, and lots more. On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., something magical happens: There are sandwiches, and they are perfect. Served on Clear Four bread, there's a different option each day, including pork ribs on Monday and meatballs on Tuesday. $8.75-$9.75, take-out only, available until 2 p.m. or while supplies last.

14 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-2296
(617) 629-2296
Pork ribs sandwich/Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Highland Kitchen

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

This popular Spring Hill spot makes one of the best burgers in town. But if you're a sandwich purist and don't count the burger in that category, there are several real sandwiches on the menu that are sure to satisfy, including a pulled pork sandwich and the Cuban Reuben.

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-1131
(617) 625-1131
Turkey sandwich (not currently on the menu)/Facebook

J&J Restaurant

157 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143

This Portuguese restaurant is hidden in the back of a convenience store on the edge of Union Square. While you'll definitely want to get into the hearty seafood and meat entrees, there are also a selection of hot and cold subs and sandwiches to meet your quick and easy lunch needs.

157 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
A sub/Official Site

Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill

25 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

Although primarily known for its cheap, wonderful charcoal-grilled chicken dishes, this more casual offshoot to Machu Picchu, which is located right around the corner, also features a few must-try, filling sandwiches. Go for El Peruanisimo (roast pork with fried sweet potatoes and salsa criolla) or A Lo Pobre (grilled steak with fried egg, fried plantains, and lettuce).

25 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-7972
(617) 623-7972
A lo pobre/Official Site

Somerville Brewing Company

15 Ward St, Somerville, MA 02143

Technically in Boynton Yards, this brewery is just steps away from the edge of Union Square, and what better item to pair with a beer or two than a sandwich (with ingredients that include beer)? Try a Happy Piggy Pulled Pork (Porter Sq. Porter pork, Happy Sol barbecue sauce, cheddar, slaw). There are also turkey, meatball, roast beef, and veggie options.

15 Ward St, Somerville, MA 02143
(800) 428-1150
(800) 428-1150
Pulled pork/Facebook

The Independent

75 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

There's plenty of comfort food at this Union Square restaurant and bar. The sandwich selection ($13-$15) hits some essential notes — there's a crab cake BLT, a fried chicken sandwich, a pressed Cuban, a Reuben, and a veggie sandwich.

75 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 440-6022
(617) 440-6022
Pressed Cuban/Facebook

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