Victoria Station

128 Middlesex Turnpike

Burlington

781-273-2230

Hours: Mon. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. until 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. until 11 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m.

Smoking allowed in the lounge and in one dining area

Handicapped accessible

All major credit cards accepted

Burlington's Victoria Station is one of only two restaurants remaining in what used to be a worldwide chain, according to Marianne Robbins, one of the managers. It's named after the famous English train depot, and as at any train station, on most days, the customers are continually coming and going.

The distinct and colorful eatery consists of train cars welded together. The inside is decorated with eye-catching antique memorabilia and signs that maintain the train station motif. Munir Faltoun bought this and the other Victoria Station, at Salem's Pickering Wharf, about 10 years ago .

This is not a linen, crystal, and silver eatery. Most sections are reminiscent of a club car caf. Victoria Station is geared toward comfort and a wide selection of good food. It is the perfect spot for a family gathering, a night out, a meal before or after a movie, or just about any casual event.

Our waitress started by placing a small loaf of warm marble rye on the table. My husband and son both devoured the bread and gave it a thumbs up.

The menu is wide-ranging, and the salad bar, served with most dinners, is more extensive than most.

We started with tender, breaded, deep-fried triangles of lobster ravioli ($7.95), which were served with a cup of warm lobster sauce made with cream and butter. My son enjoyed the fried mozzarella sticks ($5.95).

Then we hit the salad bar, offering everything from fresh spinach to potato salad, chickpeas, beets, and any other salad ingredient you could imagine. (You may also order the salad bar alone for $6.50 at lunch and $7.95 at dinner.)

My husband ordered the barbecue combination ($18.95) from the daily specials. It came with a grilled chicken breast, two large beef ribs slathered in sauce, a good portion of zingy pulled pork, and a huge basket of French fries. The meat-and-potatoes fan loved it all.

The teenager opted for an 8-ounce top sirloin steak and fries for $13.95. It was tender and cooked just as he ordered it.

I chose the Land and Sea ($19.95), a special of fresh sea scallops baked under a crispy stuffing. The scallops, tender and perfectly cooked, came with garlic-marinated steak tips and rice pilaf.

For dessert we shared a piece of Kentucky pie ($4.70), a chocolate chip triangle drizzled with chocolate sauce and accompanied by vanilla ice cream. We recommend it highly.

DENISE DUB