Scup’s In The Harbour

Here’s the current situation (as of 9÷20÷11):
Due to a serious medical issue we are unable to reopen Scups. We are currently seeking a buyer for our wonderful restaurant so that Scups can get back open ASAP for all of our loyal friends and fans. Please let us know if you know of anyone that might be interested. We are just as anxious as you to get Scup’s back open…
Someone please buy it and start serving me more of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever had anywhere!

NEW OWNERS
It has been reported that the owners are currently seeking somone else to run their operations due to a medical emergency. Not sure who will do this and if the quality and laid back feeling it once was will stay there or leave with the original owners.
There are very few places like this place in Boston. It was absolutely one of a kind and hidden gem in East Boston. Those who been here know what I mean.
All other Unilocal reviews are on track with the value of this place on a nice, sunny day in Boston.
Lets hope it stays that way…

I would not at all be surprised if I opened up a dictionary and found the definition for «hidden gem» to be «Scups.» What puts Scups a step above other «hidden» wonders is that it is, in fact, hidden. There is no figurative aspect to its hidden-​ness.
Upon entering the shipyard in East Boston, you will see several interesting road signs, including a person with a fork in his/​her back. Hilarious. Look above, and you will see a sculpture of a fish on one building and a sea woman on another. There are many visual delights to view from Scups, but they do not hold a candle (no, not even one candle) to the food you will encounter.
Enter Scups and you will either be greeted or run over by Wendy, a delightful and energetic owner who will intermittently visit tables to chat and see how everyone’s doing.
Ok, the food. A small menu you will find, but one filled with amazing breakfast and non-​breakfast items alike, including the BLT (breakfast style or not). I don’t like BLTs, but this is one of the most delicious sandwiches I’ve had, due to the sharp cheddar cheese and inventive seasonings. The French toast is possibly the best I have ever had, made with Brioche and often donning rum bananas or fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream. That’s two of the best things I’ve had. Not bad. Not bad at all.
You will also find local beer, local ingredients, tables that encourage strangers to sit near each other, and fun things on the wall.
The only cons are the big crowds, long lines (and you may not take a seat before ordering), and the cash-​only-​ness. But you can’t blame the place for being busy. Kinda makes you smile.
The food here is spectacular and different. And it absolutely doesn’t hurt that it makes you feel like you just discovered a new world in a major city.

*Sung to the tune of Pussycat Dolls’ «Don’t cha”*
Foodies, are you ready? Let’s eat, Foodies.
Ooh, Foodies, are you ready?
Let’s eat, ooh, Foodies.
I know you like my reviews (I know you like my reviews)
I know you do (I know you do)
That’s why whenever I write, you’re FUCing them,
And I know you want what I ate (I know you want it)
It’s easy to see (it’s easy to see)
And in the back of your mind
I know you wish you had I ate and raved about.
Don’t cha wish your bacon was hot like mine
Don’t cha wish your bacon was sweet like mine
Don’t cha, don’t cha
Don’t cha wish your bacon was cooked like mine
Don’t cha wish your bacon was amazing like mine
Don’t cha, don’t cha
After you read my review, you’ll be singing the lyrics that I had rewritten because the MILLIONAIRE’S BACON IS JUST ABOUT THE MOST FANTASTIC, AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS BACON that I’ve ever had (It’s one of my Top Two Bacon Experiences). I chose Scup’s for brunch based on Unilocal about the Millionaire’s bacon. Do these Bostonians know what they’re talking about? They SURE do!!! 5 Million stars for this Millionaire’s bacon!!!
The Millionaire’s Bacon is a spicy and sweet bacon. They marinate the bacon in cayenne and brown sugar and the marriage of hot and sweet creates a blissful symphony in your mouth. The first bite of the bacon is sweet, but not overly so. It’s nicely balanced with the rich meaty taste of the bacony goodness. I didn’t taste any heat at all. I scoffed and thought to myself, «This is so typical of White people who think the mildest thing is really spicy.» Then I had to take my thoughts back because all of a sudden my throat was engulfed in a smoky heat. The bacon has a slow burn and it really is spicy, but it doesn’t kick in until some seconds later. Oooh yeah!
Just how good is this bacon? We ordered a second serving. Usually my parents are too frugal to allow such indulgences because my mom would argue we got a taste and that’s good enough. But after we demolished our order and stared sadly at the empty plate, I looked at her and asked, «Shall we get another order?» She hurriedly nodded her head.
We got other stuff to eat (BLT, breakfast burrito, and a brioche French toast with strawberries, raspberries, and fresh whip cream). Solid brunch (3 *s), but nothing to write home about. The bacon is the star of the place and it’s definitely worth making the trip out to Scup’s. I’d come back for the bacon alone.
Decent coffee and I tried the honey mint iced tea that everyone raved about. The iced tea was nice, but I would have liked a stronger tea brew.
If you ever find yourself in Boston, go to Scup’s for brunch and get the Millionaire’s bacon. Tell me about it and then you’ll be singing my song.

Trekked our way here early Sunday for bunch while we were in Boston for a weekend vacay in August 2010.
Among the food we got: honey mint iced tea, iced coffee, breakfast BLT (2 fried eggs, extra sharp cheddar, cherry wood smoked bacon, roasted tomato, basil pesto mayo), empanada (don’t recall what the filling was at the time), millionaire’s bacon (loved it), baked egg w parmesan & cream (filled w bacon & tomatoes), chocolate chocolate pudding (we got the last one!).
Everything was amazing and definitely home-​made. But you can’t miss getting the millionaire’s bacon. it’s so good that I wish I could have my bacon like this all the time. The owner was really nice too. Wish we could find a restaurant like this in our area. I’d definitely love to come back if I’m ever in Boston again.
(note: they are cash only, things do run out of stuff and they have limited seating so come early)

I’m getting emotional and hungry again thinking about the breakfast BLT I ate for lunch earlier. OMG, imagine the best BLT you’ve ever had, then multiply that feeling by a factor of 10 and you will begin to approach the bliss that awaits you. Throw in some hot sauce and you’ve got a sandwich that I will go out of my way to find again. To drink I had the Raspberry Ricky (seltzer, lime, syrup) which was good, but not exceptional. Next time I’m trying the BBQ Steak sandwich and millionaire bacon… mmm…millionaire…

106^th person to review this place:
What more can Cappy add you may ask?
Well the reality is, none of you roll the way I roll.
The day started out typical. I was making fun of people on the Blue Line. I got on at Reveah Beach. Right away some guy in a wife beater with a half shaved face caught my eye and asked if I saw the game last night.
«I sure did!» «The goat cheese eaters destroyed the fag bags!»
That ended that unwanted conversation. Flash forward to me on my way to Downtown Crossing when the attorney Craig D. Singer (maybe I should change his name) naah. Intercepted me. He wanted to eat. It was early but I too wanted to eat.
I better speed up this story a little… We went to Speed dogs then as a second course went to M&M Barbecue then as a third course drove all the way to Eastie to Scup’s.
Ambiance– nice. Sit outside amongst tomato plants and sculptures. The woman who owns the place very nice.
I had the Ultimate BLT and the honey ice tea. The BLT with pesto and thick bacon with cherry tomatoes, fresh baked bread… was awesome.
We were sharing a table with two guys who had their boat parked there. We made friends then helped them pick up their boat in Winthrop and park it at Jeffries Marina right next door. It was a NICE boat ride. So I associate Scups with Good, unique homeade food, a nice atmosphere, a nice owner and the Boston Harbor. Beautiful.
and a boat ride for free, cause that’s how I roll.
then boom boom boom. I was finally full. Didn’t work at all that day.
Can’t wait to go back. So they can earn that 5^th star for dinner or breakfast.

We were near the airport and needed a Sunday brunch dining option we could enjoy in less than an hour — something with no waiting list, easy parking, and fast service. Thanks to Unilocal,we discovered the lovely little Scups, which was everything we were looking for. The drive to this hidden gem even gave me a new appreciation for East Boston’s neighborhood charms.
Bring cash, step inside, check out the chalkboard menu, order & pay at the small counter, and share a picnic table inside or out. The menu is small, but that makes choosing easier for the indecisive, and the kitchen fast and the food great. I went for the Brioche French Toast, which was topped with powdered sugar, blackberries and fresh whipped cream, and the hubby had the Breakfast BLT (includes egg). We both opted for the Honey Mint Tea at the recommendation of other Unilocalers and were not disappointed– it was sweet and refreshing. After receiving our drinks we were encouraged to share space at a table, «because everyone’s friendly here» and ended up sharing one of the outdoor picnic tables with a couple who had conveniently sat to one side of the table allowing room for company. 8 minutes later my French Toast arrived and 10 minutes later the Breakfast BLT arrived. I wanted to be polite and wait until his food arrived fresh, but couldn’t resist a sneak finger dip in the fresh whipped cream. The smell of the fresh blackberry sauce kept my mouth watering until I was finally able to indulge in my first bite of complete delight. The thick fluffy bread held its texture as it slurped up the blackberry sauce and left barely enough room on the fork to grab a blackberry swirled in cream. This is my idea of french toast. Everything was fresh, delicious, and prepared with love. A great experience that even left us extra time to enjoy the surrounding sculptures and art works.

Super cool spot right in the middle of a ship yard. Indoor and outdoor seating, outdoor sculpture, views of the water, great stuff. The food is really creative and made with TLC. I’ve ordered lunch and breakfast food and it’s been outstanding. Inventive twists on favorite summer drinks like homemade lemonade with Prosecco and everyone raves about the iced tea.
Note: if you want to park close you can only the ship yard from the West entrance. If you park near the Navy Fuel Pier Airport Edge Buffer Park you can walk through the gate to the restaurant.

Ventured out here for lunch with my date. Scup’s is situated in this harbor that has all kinds of cool artwork all around. The people working there were all very nice and friendly. They must not originally be from New England.
Lemonade= wow but on the sour side. Not for the faint of heart.
Arnold Palmer = A little too much iced tea for my liking.
Summer in a glass and the Honey Mint Iced Tea were very popular too seeing as how everyone around us had it. They looked yummy.
Breakfast BLT: BLT w/​2 fried eggs in it. Oh man, I can feel my arteries clogging thinking about it. BLT’s are simple creatures but they spiced it up with pesto and cheddar cheese. Pretty good but did not drive me crazy.
My date had their chicken salad sandwich, which was really good. She thinks their sandwiches are better than Dave’s Fresh Pasta.
Overall, the drinks were really good, the people are friendly, the food was made with love, and the view is nice. Perfect for a nice summer day.

I landed at Logan airport to visit some friends and wanted to get lunch nearby. My friend busted out his new iPad and we pulled up Unilocal to search the best rated spots nearby. Scup’s was one of the first listings and after checking out their menu we were sold. We split a BLT & a mozzarella, tomato, and pesto sandwich. To drink we had a Pretty Things Baby Tree micro-​brew beer (22oz and 9% alcohol). Both the sandwiches were deliciously fresh and light with different toasted breads for each. Although I had my doubts, the beer was refreshing and easy to drink despite its lofty alcohol content. I left satisfied and ready to take on Boston!
Scups is located in an active shipyard with several large sculptures within walking distance. There is also a beautiful park nearby with great views of downtown Boston. It would make a great afternoon date spot.

This incredible spot located in Eastie is a place that I newly discovered thanks to Unilocal.Went there on an improvised brunch on a scorching, late Sunday morning. After parking to the left of the establishments, I walked into one of the weirdest restaurants here. There aren’t any counters or anything, just a door that leads to a kitchen with a few communal tables around. Oh and a bunch of high chairs by the window. The décor is simplistic as is the menu which is written on cardboard squares and thumbtacked against the wall.
We were about to order when I realized that this place might be cash only. It looked like it would bem and sonofabitch, it was. Back in the car, we went, to an ATM and right back to the restaurants, about 10 minutes later. I ordered the baked eggs with tomatoes and bacon, along with a side of millionaire bacon and a «Summer in a Glass» drink which is just a fancy name for a homemade lemonade which has a splash of strawberry syrup in it.
We sat down at one of the tables next to strangers and waited for our food to arrive. 10 minutes… 15 minutes… 25 minutes and then it came, brought to us by one of the staff members. The food itself was simple yet delicious. The baked eggs were pipping hot and came with a side of scali toast. The millionaire’s bacon is thick bacon stripes covered in spices and brown sugar; very decadent but very tasty as well. The drink was refreshing.
Overall the place is a no-​frills kind of joint. The food is simple but they do it right and the prices are good as well. Located near the harbor, the modest establishment has plenty of parking and although the food comes out slowly, it is cooked to order which is something I respect. I’ll definitely be back for more brunches in the future and might try to snag a table outside next time if the weather permits.
Just remember, it’s cash only.

Drove out from Framingham between thunder/​lightning storms to get a glimpse of the BLT.
Sunny day, friendly patrons (we shared a table w/​friendly strangers), dog-​friendly atmosphere, tasty food, big variety.
To say it’s quaint diminishes the authenticity of Scup’s. Don’t miss it.

We stopped into Scup’s for our first dinner treatment last night, and it was grand. We called first to make sure there would be vegetarian items available, and were informed that there were a few, so we thought it was a good night to check it out.
So we got there and it was pretty quiet, and there was no trouble grabbing a seat at the communal table. We decided to split deviled eggs, a Middle Eastern plate, and vegetable lasagna. I ordered their awesome iced tea; the mister ordered a Magic Hat beer.
The eggs came alongside some most delicious oil-​cured olives. And the eggs themselves were delicious. The Middle Eastern plate was also really really good — it featured a mix of eggplant, tomatoes, walnuts, and spices, and it came with grilled bread to spread it all on. It had tons of awesome flavors in it. The vegetable lasagna was served with a green salad (fresh, yummy, with a lemon balsamic vinaigrette) and garlic bread, and the lasagna was really good. It actually had big chunks of vegetables in it. No wussy mushed up vegetables here.
We saved a little room for dessert, so we split the warm bittersweet brownie with fresh whipped cream, and it was divine. Simple, but perfect.
Scup’s turned out to be a fantastic dinner spot. All of the other diners there were also raving about their dishes, so it seems that they’re just continuing to do everything right. And we’ll keep going there and supporting them, because it’s awesome.

Liked this place a lot. Taking the water taxi out there turned out to be more of a pain in the ass than expected but was nice for the experience.
The breakfast was great. A little confusing/​awkward how to order, when to pay, how to tip, whether to clear the plates etc. Everyone there was really nice though. A few couples with dogs, chatted with some people while eating outside. Editor for the Globe stopped by to get some Scup’s too. Definitely a fan. If I lived in EBo I’d be by 2 — 3 times per week easy.

Very cute place. The food is mediocre at best, but the atmosphere and friendly employees give it the four stars it deserves. Plus the location is amazingly difficult to find and you feel so good once you do realize you were really dumb and walked right by it like, 4 times.
I tried the breakfast sandwich on an english muffin with bacon and a fried egg (pretty standard, but add the hot sauce and it’s great), the herb mushroom soup (a little watered down but still packed with flavor to make up for it), lemonade (fresh-​squeezed, yum), raspberry rickey (not my style but my friend liked it a lot), and the winner of the morning: the grilled cheese with tomato and ham. That thing was huge and flavorful and melty-​good.
The great thing is this place is unbelievably cheap. You’ll definitely spend about $ 5 for your meal.

I was excited for Scups since it was the best rated place for «Sunday Brunch.» It was ½ mile from our hotel so it made for a good morning walk to the shipyard where it was located. And I like the idea of a rotating menu.
The wait for food was loooong, but the atmosphere was nice. We ordered a few items to share. The potato pie was good, but needed more flavor… it was basically all potato with some tomatoes. The empanada was good but had too much rosemary. Chops got the hot dog on brioshe bread that looked tasty… he liked it but said it wasn’t the best hot dog as others have said about Scups’ dogs.
This place is CASH ONLY… we didn’t know until we got there, luckily we had a few bucks.

Head into the shipyard and ask for directions to this place. The security guards are really nice, and Scup’s isn’t easy to find. But it’s worth the hunt. This place is fantastic! Friendly service and fresh-​from-​scratch food. The brioche French toast with orange-​papaya sauce was delicious. Even better was Vermont Cheddar grilled cheese with spicy bacon. Empanadas are simply wonderful – I’ve tried beef-​spinach-​rice. The outside is crispy and not greasy, and the fillings are flavorful and fresh.
Prices are also incredibly reasonable. A sandwich and chips for $ 3? Homemade soup for $ 2.50? Awesome!
This is definitely a place to go back to again and again. But it is small, so expect to wait. It is worth it.

Went only once and already fell in love with it. It was an experience to find, then when you walk in, your like this is different and the food is soo good.
The place is in a shipyard overlooking Boston harbor. On a cold winter day, in the teens, the small bar area over looking the water is warm in cozy. The other seating area is a long common table. The buildings original floor and pipes above all add to its charm. It’s decorated in a cool mariner theme.
I had the BEST BLT of my life here. The tomatoes were marinated, the bacon was crispy apple wood, and the bread had a delicious herb spread. The end product was grilled and served with cap cod chips for $ 6.50. The woman I met (Wendy) was a doll. My bf couldn’t decide and she mentioned they just finished a corned beef. Well he got that and it came out thickly sliced with stone ground mustard. So juicy and tender. Oh my gosh. Both of our sandwiches were amazing. For breakfast the menu had french toast, breakfast sandwiches and they have weekend specials. I will be back for that. The homemade pastries on the counter look temping too. They are open limited hours 10 – 2 on weekends, 8 – 2 weekdays. Just look for building 16!
–Update ³⁄₀₉ – Went back a handful of times since this first trip. I can’t say how much I enjoy going there and how nice they are! I even got to meet little Scup in the parking lot! Every weekend there is a different special on the menu. By now I’ve had most of the regular stuff. Dave is so talented in the kitchen. Their Chicken salad club is delicious. I stuffed myself with a meatball sub that was out of this world. I’ve had the mac and cheese one weekend that was killer! It was loaded with sausage, oh so creamy and even served with grilled bread for $ 6.50. Mushroom soup that was loaded with all kinds of mushrooms. I could keep going.
Thalia’s desserts are unbelievable! Quite possibly the best home made cakes and treats you will try. Her brownies, cakes, pies, etc. are so delicious. 5 Stars all the way for Scups!

Going to Scup’s is an adventure– it’s so ridiculously random, it borders on the sublime. Only having been to East Boston only a handful of times, I was happy to go with people who had been there before. But once you’re there– it’s incredible. Owners Wendy and Dave and Thalia (formerly of Toscanini’s breakfast@thebigtable) have created a warm community joint in the most unusual of settings.
We had an amazing «Asian» empanada that was nothing like anything I’ve ever had– it was like the filling from a Vietnamese Cha Gios in a traditional empanada. Great stuff, though it could have been even better with some sort of dipping sauce. Warmed gently, a pretty amazing starter.
I had the chicken pot pie special– which was warm and nourishing on a cold day in the Inner Harbor. Just an FYI– make sure that you bring warm clothing when you go, the room is a little cool and the seats are pretty spare.
My friends had the BLT which looked great and the meatloaf sandwich which looked pretty tasty as well. We all washed our meals down with fresh honey mint iced tea, which was pretty refreshing.
The place is cool, the people super friendly and the food tasty. It’s a little unusual and it’s not an especially luxurious place– but totally worth making the trip on a relaxed Saturday afternoon. Bring a camera for some post-​food pix around the harbor.