Harvard Square’s new Painted Burro is muy diferente than the chain’s stops elsewhere, and from the Border Cafe it replaces – a change diners will likely appreciate as soon as a margarita is served and the free chips and salsa arrive.

These perfectly priced potato pancakes from Mamaleh’s Delicatessen in Cambridge are crispy, crunchy excellence with sour cream and apple sauce.

On these cold fall days, the Sea Hag’s a cozy pop-in with casual, down-home comfort from scones to salads that really knows how to use an egg.

There’s carrot soup, and then there’s carrot soup with a delightfully Middle Eastern twist from the Sofra bakery in Cambridge’s Strawberry Hill section.

The Painted Burro has opened in Cambridge’s Harvard Square in a two-story revival of a former Border Cafe space that’s been closed for nearly four years.

The Souper Roll-Up Cafe is a cozy nook just doors down from Cambridge’s King Open School with a menu that offers a lot, especially for the cold days ahead.

What’s better than margaritas? Margaritas served with a made-to-order crispy and melty Mexican food classic filled from a buffet of options.

The reason anyone should head to the revamped Rosebud is the Chana Kati roll with its spiced chickpeas, Bombay chutney and pickled veggie slaw.

Is there anything worse than squeezing a condiment bottle and the product coming out watery? Avoid this unfortunate fate with Melinda’s Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. 

I’m not sure it’s possible to walk two blocks here and not find a ramen shop. Soba is another story – so it’s good Sugidama has reopened in Davis Square.