What is a foodie? A foodie is someone with a deep love of food who always wants to try new cuisines and recipes. It doesn’t matter if they prefer eating the food or making the food but they have to have a love for it. A lot of foodies spend a lot of money on this love but thankfully there are credit cards like the amex preferred card that are perfect for food lovers. Of course, every foodie is different.

Chacun à son goût, as they say in Paris, and in Worcester there is certainly something for everyone’s palette when it comes to good eats. Presented in no particular order, these seven savory spots are sure to satisfy. In-depth reviews will follow in future columns, but for now use this as a quick guide to some of the more overlooked culinary gems in The Heart of The Commonwealth.

  1. Visit Worcester’s best food truck for a creation lovingly known as “The Woostah,” a gourmet, Chicago-style hot dog from The Dogfather atdogfather the corner of Shore Drive and Holden Street, near the Greendale Y. Not a fan of hot dogs? Then try the award-winning chili. Or better yet, the Frito Pie — chili with a bag of Fritos thrown in.
  2. If you are near Quinsigamond State College, then you are in foodie heaven with these next three. At The Golden Pita (667 West Boylston St), treat yourself to a falafel sandwich wrapped in their delicious pita bread. What? You’ve never had a falafel? This street food of The Middle East is brought wondrously to life at this unpretentious Halal eatery. Buy some pita chips and hummus for a snack later.
  3. Throw a chickpea ball right down the road to The Eggroll Lady and Fish Shack (609 West Boylston St) for what is perhaps Worcester’s best-kept and most delicious dining secret, the crispy, fresh, amazing home-made and hand-made egg rolls. More like a traditional Vietnamese spring roll, with The Egg Roll Lady’s home-made duck sauce your tastebuds will dance. If you want them to dance the tango, try her home-made kim chee.
  4. Third spot for the Quinsig kids, Lou Roc’s Diner (1074 West Boylston St) . Home fries with any breakfast. Enough said.
  5. Oh so you have champagne tastes and a champagne budget too? Then try the steak cooked at your table on a hot rock at Ritual (281 Main St) near the new courthouse. The lunch buffet is a gourmet bargain hunter’s paradise.
  6. The tapas at Bocado (82 Winter St) is wonderful, Look them up for Flamenco Night if you really want a meal to remember. Ask the bartender to make you a Negroni. More on those in a future column!
  7. Right downtown you will find the best sandwich in the city. At The Theater Cafe right next to The Hanover Theater (529 Main St) try the Banh Mi sandwich. Some swear by the portobello roasted veggie wrap, but the Banh Mi is one of those offerings that make Worcester a great city for those who love inspired offerings offered right under your nose.

Enjoy these suggestions, and send along some places that you would like reviewed in The Worcester Herald. Watch the two videos below.

December 22, 2014
Worcester, MA
Doug Borowski, Worcester Herald Food Writer