Framingham/Natick: Tennessee BBQ Its logo is three pigs and one of them's wearing a trucker hat - a proud little slice of white trash rolls into Route 9.
Route 9, 341 Cochituate Rd. 11 a.m.-10 a.m, daily. (617) 894-8294
www.tennbbq.com

Lowell Blue Shamrock Cheap burgers and live music - this is about as happening as Lowell gets and we're not complaining.
105 Market St. 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m., daily. 21+. (978) 458-1288

Newton: Union Street With three floors, a patio and the Attic Bar (with live music), we'd come here even if they didn't have Bass Ale-battered shrimp.
107 Union St. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner: Mon-Fri 4 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Brunch: Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Late night menu: Until 11:45 p.m. All ages but 21+ to enter bar. (617) 964-6684
www.unionst.com

Waltham: Iguana Cantina Try the enchiladas de carne ($12.95), tender strips of beef encased in a warm tortilla, drenched in a ranchero and cheese.
313 Moody St, Waltham. Mon 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat Noon-11 p.m.; Sun Noon-9:30 p.m. (781) 891-3039

Worcester: Cafe Dolce For sweets and flavored coffee, stop here after a meal on Shrewsbury, the once-rundown street that's turing into a mini-Newbury, with open door cafés.
154 Shrewsbury St., Worcester. Mon-Thu, Sun 4 p.m.-midnight; Fri, Sat 4 p.m.-1 a.m. (508) 754-3761

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