Hungry Beyond Boston

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Merrimack Valley based and searching for the best food beyond Boston. From pizza joints to fine dining.

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I need to know. Where is YOUR favorite chicken parm?There’s just something about it that keeps pulling me back.No matter...
06/03/2026

I need to know. Where is YOUR favorite chicken parm?

There’s just something about it that keeps pulling me back.

No matter how many new restaurants I try, no matter how many different takes I find on it, I always seem to end up back at Ralphie's Cafe Italiano in Salem, NH

Long before Instagram, reels, rankings, and all the social media noise, Ralphie’s was already doing its thing. I remember going back when they were in the old Cumberland Farms plaza on Route 28. Back then, I got hooked on their mozzarella sticks. There was just something different about them. Crispy, cheesy, and covered with sauce. Somehow always exactly what I wanted.

But over the years, it became the chicken parm that kept me coming back.

Maybe it's the nostalgia talking. Maybe it's the consistency. Or maybe it's just because sometimes the classics don't need reinventing. A good chicken parm hits a comfort food nerve that few dishes can touch, and Ralphie's has always delivered one that scratches that itch.

It's one of those meals that immediately transports me back to a different time. Before content creation, before food pages, before I was taking pictures of every meal. Just sitting down and ordering something I knew I'd enjoy.

Some restaurants become part of your routine. Others become part of your story.

For me, Ralphie's falls firmly into the second category.

I am 99% sure I stumbled onto the “drink” of the summer at Barrio Haverhill. It is available at this location and Barrio...
06/02/2026

I am 99% sure I stumbled onto the “drink” of the summer at Barrio Haverhill. It is available at this location and Barrio Portsmouth

THIS is a strawberry mango soft serve margarita and it is AMAZING. Seeing a few of them come out after ours, you can get it as just the standalone flavors of mango or strawberry, but this twist is amazing.

Served with little shovels as spoons is the cherry on top. We got our with a side of Tajin and Chamoy to send this thing over the edge.

Counting down the days until it’s 90 degrees to get one of these on the patio.

Three weeks ago, a new restaurant quietly opened its doors in the former Sparky’s space in Haverhill at 20 Emerson St. T...
05/27/2026

Three weeks ago, a new restaurant quietly opened its doors in the former Sparky’s space in Haverhill at 20 Emerson St. The story behind it goes far beyond just another restaurant opening.

Miguel, who the restaurant is named after, emigrated from Ecuador in 2000. Like so many people chasing opportunity, he started from the ground up, working as a cook at McDonald’s before eventually working his way into managing multiple locations. Even now, while launching a restaurant of his own, he still maintains another job while building Miguelito’s alongside his family.

Today, the kitchen is a true family effort, with Miguel working side by side with his wife, daughters, and relatives as they continue bringing their vision to life.

The space itself has been completely transformed from its former Sparky’s days. New floors, paint, equipment, and lighting. It has been transformed. Their menu blends Dominican and Ecuadorian comfort food with a focus on rotisserie chicken, crispy wings, fried chicken, rice dishes, sandwiches, wraps, empanadas, and homemade desserts. The menu balances quick comfort food favorites with traditional Latin flavors, rounded out by fresh juices, fruit bowls, and classic sides like tostones, sweet plantains, and rice and beans.

During our visit, we tried the half rotisserie chicken with rice and beans, garlic parmesan wings, and they even brought out samples of their caramel flan to finish the meal. Everything felt homemade, comforting, and rooted in family tradition. Next time, we need to get ahold of the chicken fingers which are breaded in house.

You can feel the pride in this place already. Not just in the food, but in the story behind it. Restaurants like this are what make local dining special. A family taking a chance, rebuilding a space, and sharing part of their culture and journey with the community one plate at a time.

📸 Miguelito's Restaurant
📍 20 Emerson St - Haverhill, MA (Old Sparky's Location)

Joe Fish is officially bringing back one of the most dangerous summer deals in New England 🦞Starting TODAY (May 22) and ...
05/22/2026

Joe Fish is officially bringing back one of the most dangerous summer deals in New England 🦞

Starting TODAY (May 22) and running all the way through Labor Day, lobster rolls are HALF OFF every night after 8PM, seven days a week. Dine in only.

And this isn’t some limited “small sandwich only” type deal either.

You can get any of their three sizes hot or cold:
🦞 Small 5oz
🦞 Medium 10oz
🦞 The Big Kahuna weighing in at a ridiculous 16oz

This has quietly become one of those summer traditions people wait for every year. Late night lobster rolls, warm weather, and an excuse to suddenly become available after 8PM for the next few months.

If you’ve never done the Joe Fish late night lobster roll run before, this is your sign.

Steampunk station feels like stepping into another world for a little while.Part café, part antique shop, part organized...
05/20/2026

Steampunk station feels like stepping into another world for a little while.

Part café, part antique shop, part organized chaos in the best possible way. The whole space is this fusion of vintage décor, steampunk influence, dark woods, old clocks, mismatched chairs, handwritten chalkboard menus, and little details that somehow all come together perfectly.

It doesn’t feel overly polished or manufactured. It feels lived in. Comfortable. Like the kind of place you’re supposed to hang around in for a while with a coffee in hand.

Breakfast & lunch sandwiches, loaded waffles, soups, salads, coffee, and rotating grab-and-go meals if you’re in a rush. It’s comfort café food with personality behind it.

The menu wall itself almost feels like part of the experience. Giant handwritten boards tucked over the counter listing everything from bagels and waffles to espresso drinks and sandwiches. You can tell this place has grown into itself naturally over time instead of being designed in a boardroom somewhere.

A place where every corner has a different vibe and every visit feels a little different than the last.

Definitely worth checking out if you like places with character and a unique flare

I got a Cubano and a slow roasted Asian pork soup. Wildly different choices and both great! Sliced to order meat and perfectly layered pressed sandwich and a piping hot soup event on a hot day.

05/18/2026

Checked out Jeff and Maria’s aka in Groveland, MA and as a first timer, this was such a fun experience.

I had met Jeff before through a few local events, and he even brought his Twitch stream setup out to recently, so it was cool finally getting over to the shop itself.

Of course we had to get the Peanut Butter Wizard, which is kind of their signature creation at this point. Absolutely ridiculous in the best way. We also grabbed a couple hot dogs and grilled cheese on what legitimately felt like the hottest spring day we’ve had so far.

But honestly, one of the coolest parts besides all the custom creations is the atmosphere Jeff has built around the place. He’s constantly live streaming on Twitch while cooking in the kitchen, which is such a unique twist for a local food spot. And before anyone asks, the camera is only pointed into the kitchen area, so you’re not randomly ending up on stream while eating your ice cream.

It was genuinely cool watching everything happen live while the food was being made. It adds this chaotic, entertaining energy that somehow fits the place perfectly.

Go check it out at and definitely stop by if you haven’t yet. We had a blast.

Another can’t miss event is coming up hosted by the  👀Taste of Southern NH is back and this one is always a heavy hitter...
04/30/2026

Another can’t miss event is coming up hosted by the 👀

Taste of Southern NH is back and this one is always a heavy hitter. If you’re into trying a ton of different spots in one night, this is exactly the kind of event you want on your calendar.

The setup is simple and it works.

One ticket price gets you access to 25+ vendors serving samples all night. No extra cost, no choosing between places. Just walk around and try everything.

And the lineup is stacked:
110 Grill (Haverhill) | 603 Brewery | Atkinson Resort & Country Club | AV Wine Bar | Cedar View Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center | Courtney in the Kitchen | Deja Brew Café | Dragonfly Dough Co | Dreo | Farmhouse Roasters | Figaro’s Martini Bar & Kitchen | Karv Greek Kouzina | Kerry’s Katering | Kona Ice | Kashmir | Maddie’s | Messy Mike’s Barbecue & Catering | OakCraft Pizza | Pica’s Pub & Grill / Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream | Pizza Lisa | Playa Bowls | Rig A Tony’s | Salt & Straw | Sayde’s Bar & Grill | Simply Elegant Catering | Sugar Love Baking Corp | Sweet Dreams Confections | The Common Man Restaurant | The Residence at Salem Woods | Tuscan Brands | Windham Restaurant | Zoipop! | Zorvino Vineyards

There are a bunch of spots on here I’ve been meaning to try, so I’m looking forward to bouncing around and checking them out all in one place.

I’ll be there for this one and it’s always a great night out.

One ticket. A ton of food. Can’t wait.

For tickets, check out the link in my bio and I’ll see you there! Tag who you are most looking forward to in the comments

📆 May 6, 2026
⏰ 5:30 - 8PM
🎟 $50 Per Person
📍 | 58 Enterprise Dr, Windham, NH

Another AMAZING event is coming up early May. Taste of Southern NH is back 🍽️Mark your calendar for May 6, 2026 at Castl...
04/18/2026

Another AMAZING event is coming up early May. Taste of Southern NH is back 🍽️

Mark your calendar for May 6, 2026 at Castleton in Windham, NH. This is one of the signature events and it’s always a good one.

The format is simple and it works. One ticket gets you access to everything. Dozens of restaurants, caterers, and local favorites all in one place serving up samples all night. No picking and choosing. No extra cost once you’re in. Just walk, try, repeat.

It’s a chance to bounce around and try spots you already love, mix in a few you’ve been meaning to get to, and probably discover a couple you didn’t even know about.

This year’s lineup is stacked:

110 Grill (Haverhill) | 603 Brewery | Atkinson Resort & Country Club | AV Wine Bar | Cedar View Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center | Courtney in the Kitchen | Deja Brew Café | Dragonfly Dough Co | Dreo | Farmhouse Roasters | Figaro’s Martini Bar & Kitchen | Karv Greek Kouzina | Kerry’s Katering | Kona Ice | Kashmir | Maddie’s | Messy Mike’s Barbecue & Catering | OakCraft Pizza | Pica’s Pub & Grill / Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream | Pizza Lisa | Playa Bowls | Rig A Tony’s | Salt & Straw | Sayde’s Bar & Grill | Simply Elegant Catering | Sugar Love Baking Corp | Sweet Dreams Confections | The Common Man Restaurant | The Residence at Salem Woods | Tuscan Brands | Windham Restaurant | Zoipop! | Zorvino Vineyards

If you’ve been before, you already know the deal. If you haven’t, this is one of the easiest ways to experience a huge chunk of the Southern NH food scene in one night.

Checkout out of the AMAZING things I’ve had Overton last few years. One ticket. A ton of spots. One really solid night out. Check out the link in my bio for tickets!

There’s something to be said about how you handle not being number one. After nearly 30 years of setting the standard, K...
04/17/2026

There’s something to be said about how you handle not being number one. After nearly 30 years of setting the standard, KC’s Rib Shack in Manchester just came in second at the Hippo Press for Best BBQ. And instead of excuses or complaints, they showed exactly why they’ve been an institution for so long. There something inspiring about how the community comes together to uplift instead of tear down.

They gave credit. Real credit. Shouting out 603 BBQ, congratulating them, and recognizing the work they’re putting in. That’s not something you always see, especially in a category as competitive and pride-driven as BBQ.

But that’s the thing about places like KC’s. They’ve never just been about trophies. They’ve been about consistency, work ethic, and showing up day after day putting out food people care about. When you’ve been doing that for nearly three decades, you understand something important. Competition isn’t a threat, it’s fuel. It keeps you sharp. It keeps you accountable. It forces you to look at what you’re doing and find ways to get better.

That mindset is what builds a real food scene. Not one place dominating forever, but multiple spots pushing each other, raising the bar, and giving people more reasons to get out and try something new. KC’s isn’t going anywhere. If anything, they sound more motivated than ever. If you know anything about BBQ, that should make everyone else just a little nervous.

So shoutout to them for the decades in business and for continuing to be a beacon of community and supporting those around them with pride. Just one of the many great reasons to support Kevin Cornish and the team over at KC's Ribshack.

Making it clear there is space for everyone here

FEATURED CREATOR SPOTLIGHT 🎉We’ve got one more featured guest to add to the mix, and this one brings a little bit of eve...
04/11/2026

FEATURED CREATOR SPOTLIGHT 🎉

We’ve got one more featured guest to add to the mix, and this one brings a little bit of everything. He joins us, not as a vendor, but as a guest and content creator

Meet “Jeff The Ice Cream Man” 🍦

Jeff is the owner of Jeff and Maria’s Ice Cream & Hot Dogs, a local staple known for doing things a little differently and doing them really well. From serving up creative ice cream creations like the famous Peanut Butter Wizard to grilling up a seriously good hot dog, he’s built a brand that people remember.

But that’s only part of it.

Jeff is also a content creator and partnered Twitch streamer (Twitch.tv/icecreamposse), blending food, personality, and entertainment into something completely his own. If you’ve come across his content, you’ve probably seen him talking to himself in different characters, bringing a mix of humor, chaos, and creativity that stands out immediately.

Part business owner, part entertainer, and fully one of a kind.

We’re excited to have Jeff as part of the featured guest lineup for Taste of Haverhill.

Come meet him, try the food, and experience the personality behind it all.

🎟 Tickets at tasteofhaverhill.com
📅 April 13th
⏰ 5:30-7:30PM
📍 Michael’s Function Hall at The Phoenician Restaurant
📇12 Alpha St, Haverhill MA

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Haverhill, MA

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