We Ate The Most Iconic Foods In Boston On A $50 Budget

How far can your dollar go in Boston? Taryn Varricchio tries as many of the city's iconic foods as possible on a $50 budget. From a lobster roll at Quincy market to a cannoli from Mike's Bakery to a hotdog at Fenway Park, Taryn tastes all of Boston's most popular foods.
MORE BOSTON FOOD CONTENT:
The Best Cannoli In Boston | Best Of The Best
• The Best Cannoli In Bo...
Why Bova’s Bakery Makes The Best Cannoli In Boston | Legendary Eats
• Why Bova’s Bakery Make...
The Best Clam Chowder In Boston | Best Of The Best
• The Best Clam Chowder ...
Why Atlantic Fish Co. Has The Best Clam Chowder In Boston | Legendary Eats
• Why Atlantic Fish Co. ...
------------------------------------------------------
#Boston #Budget #FoodInsider
INSIDER is great journalism about what passionate people actually want to know. That’s everything from news to food, celebrity to science, politics to sports and all the rest. It’s smart. It’s fearless. It’s fun. We push the boundaries of digital storytelling. Our mission is to inform and inspire.
Visit us at: www.insider.com
Subscribe to our channel: insder.co/Food
FOOD INSIDER on Facebook: insder.co/2O4gt7A
FOOD INSIDER on Instagram: insder.co/2aywJtk
FOOD INSIDER on Twitter: insder.co/2IahHsi
INSIDER on Snapchat: insder.co/2KJLtVo
INSIDER on Amazon Prime: insder.co/PrimeVideo
INSIDER on TikTok: / insider
INSIDER on Dailymotion: insder.co/2vmKnZv
We Ate The Most Iconic Foods In Boston On A $50 Budget

[@cenoaceno3251]

I live in Boston and this is the worst way u could’ve spent ur money in one day

[@katytrant7998]

Honestly. If you want to eat on $50 in Boston you want to stay as far away as possible from Quincy Market

[@daniellax334]

@@katytrant7998 EXACTLY !!!!

[@sedopolomut]

I agree!

[@user-lt7pf6zc2v]

CenoA ceno fr thats not even what we eat😂

[@LS1core]

What places do you recommend?

[@Boshtunes]

Tourist traps all of them. This was lazy AF.

[@Yaunjcinco]

Boshtunes you’re right this is how I know you’re a Bostonian. She went right to downtown Boston that’s tourist nation in Faneuil hall

[@huirant287]

@@Yaunjcinco then in your opinion where should we get food travelling in Boston?

[@gracejuma6518]

Literally went to the most basic places in Boston

[@irishx302]

Shoulda got a Florentine from bovas best in Boston out of the big three that I’ve tried

[@butterjujunut]

Riiight!?! Like who goes out to eat at Faneuil Hall...and you're on a budget?

[@stnk3596]

"I'm on a budget" buys a $10.50 beer. yea..

[@OttoStrawanzinger]

In 2024, $50 is a lobster roll, a beer, and tipping the staff.

[@FoodandFootprints]

“Do you choose where to travel based on the meals you’ll get to eat?” *ALWAYS*

[@CeraCullen]

Like, is there another way to do it?

[@yogurLAPIZ]

Its the cause I'm traveling in the first place.

[@rootsandwingsboutique]

Most don't have $50 a day to blow on food...try $20 a day and it'll be more of a challenge.

[@MrOAStone]

got to go to the hood, Mattapan, Roxbury, Dorchester

[@ADM-wt9cn]

If you didn't save 50$ a day for food on vacation then why are you going on vacation?

[@mOnika-pt6vk]

@@hanglee5586 Its even cheaper if you fast for majority of the day, and pay for only one large meal. 😂

[@hanglee5586]

Moni Ka I cannot do that now.

[@cryptogf]

i have like 5 a day or less

[@robsterkmc]

Mistake #1 going to Fanieul Hall and Quincy Market for food. Very expensive. Fenway is expensive too. Should have gone to restaurants like Galleria Umberto or Regina Pizzeria

[@B-ch6uk]

Do you only eat pizza?

[@dollymarie5359]

My fathers family owned the Regina's on Endicott st since the 1920's

[@roxxylala26]

Well the concept of the series is eating the ICONIC Food from whatever city. You have to admit lobster roll , clam chowder and Mike's pastry is pretty much iconic in Boston.

[@br00talitydawg]

*BOSTON IS NOT AFFORDABLE, THIS IS COMING FROM A BOSTON NATIVE*

[@dakotamathis6072]

100% agree

[@moldysalsa7841]

Born and raised here and I 100% agree.

[@hannahcotter8210]

It really isn’t affordable

[@lilyrose7843]

Brootality Dawg agreed

[@killuman637]

Brootality Dawg FOR REALL

[@laisally3172]

Did she actually eat the food?? Lol I would’ve been taken big bites

[@SquirtyMcwetfart]

They need a better host. I dont buy this woman likes food that much, she hardly ate anything. Didn't even take a bite out of the lobster roll, she just picked a tiny bite with a fork. It's a damn lobster roll, how would you not want to house that thing!?

[@vvstigzaviersaunders7066]

JeepersCreepers 1:24 that’s definitely her eating it...and more then halfway done?

[@yomama8205]

Vvstig Zavier Saunders nahh the camera man ate most of it.

[@dakotamathis6072]

im from boston and i cant get enough of lobster rolls and all seafood, shes probably not from new england and doesnt eat as much seafood as we do here

[@christianlopez258]

Dakota Mathis faaxxxx we live seafooooddd

[@cherriberri7161]

I agree this bimbo knows “nuthing” about food besides who gets a bread bowl chowder & a lobster roll? 2 Cannolis? Weird way to stretch 50$ she needs to watch the old Rachel Ray show based on eating out on a budget. There are plenty of cheap great tasting eats in Boston & just out of Boston I give this bimbo 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 4 thumbs down!

[@TheGreatCooLite]

Just go to Dunkin Donuts and buy as many Boston Cream donuts as you can

[@youmakemelaugh1797]

🙋🏿‍♀️

[@ansonhu5997]

So none?

[@linalevitin5792]

You mean dunks?

[@abir.m3310]

exactly, you could atleat get 30 of those

[@ms.keyshawineglass7590]

😂😂😂😂 Yup!

[@Chris-ky6jg]

How about don’t go to all the tourist traps that aren’t really the best food or the best priced food either.

[@krispaape2620]

Where would you recommend?

[@ashtonpaugh1189]

'And I'm travelling on a budget'. Uh..... aren't we all? Ain't no one with a regular budget paying 10.50 for a beer. Just saying.

[@bigscreenbird8198]

Wow you sound like an intelligent human.

[@ashtonpaugh1189]

@thundercrow777 I'm a damn blast. I'm just not paying 10 for a beer.

[@ashtonpaugh1189]

@@bigscreenbird8198 I am. Thanks for noticing.

[@cherriberri7161]

Ashton Paugh IK! And 2 cannolis?

[@russellleboeuf8637]

Anyone that goes to a sporting event will buy 5 or 6 beers at $14 each. Its about the experience.

[@LizBeLike_]

Who else is from Boston?! 🙌🏽🙌🏽💚

[@lukeharperistrash2914]

Me

[@Soundafek]

$50 a day.. that's rent money. :)

[@elleni-41]

Exactly!😂😂...so true! My best friend lived there...1800 a month for a 1 bedroom apt. Almost like a studio apt. It was...

[@B-ch6uk]

@@Neil__Craig I doubt you could find an apartment for that amount

[@pal4204]

First, you don't go to touristy places for the best deal. Go to neighborhood places .

[@ElatednuT]

She should of went to Sullivans on Castle Island

[@elisabethfanfan9560]

Why not try some ethic restaurants like the columbian resturant inn hyde park or theres a really good italian place in West Roxbury amd theres some good haition patie in mattaphan my goodness these iconic foods are not even worth that much hype

[@elisabethfanfan9560]

@TouchyBanana my god there making a mockery

[@johnthomann4418]

I can't trust anyone that puts that much ketchup on a hot dog.

[@usernametentwo]

Wtf

[@ptthisnurpipenschmokeit8242]

#teammustard

[@lukeharperistrash2914]

@@ptthisnurpipenschmokeit8242 F YEAH

[@warrenandyiching]

I am in Boston now. The same lobster roll from Quincy market is now $25 to $30 with a lot mayo than actual lobster!

[@nmspy]

It’s always been like that they clearly don’t know where to go, Quincy is a tourist trap 😂

[@bohemianD]

The host is so boring and uninteresting. She should be excited about all that food..but clearly no

[@JNSfyi]

Bohemian D . I fully agree!

[@cherriberri7161]

Bohemian D she has about as life & animation in her as a dead slug😂🤣😂

[@VeeAmericanEagle]

She’s wicked BORRRRINGGGGG!!!

[@jazminsmith2034]

Vee Wicked? You are definitely from my city lol

[@michaelsmith-ep7jq]

One would get better food at a mall food court. The location is a tourist trap. Clam chowder and lobster rolls are about the only food Boston is known for. Oh yeah, and canned baked beans. I live here so I know.

[@B-ch6uk]

Sam Adams beer?

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Nah that's not the only stuff I'm from here as well. We have very good fish and chips. And you can get the beans fresh not out of a can. Just got to know where to get them.

[@strangerdanger9395]

@@WhatsCookingTime chowder, lobster roll, baked beans, fish and chips- but then like...all other kids of seafood? oysters, stuffed clams? a fried seafood dinner? and then like, a boiled new england dinner, indian pudding. a friggin fluffernutter ffs.

[@WhatsCookingTime]

@@strangerdanger9395 exactly we have some good ethnic restaurants to for example I'm of Portuguese heritage. We have a pretty large Portuguese community in there's a lot of great Portuguese restaurants. We also have Irish restaurants in Italian restaurants which you don't have it all parts the country

[@WhatsCookingTime]

@@strangerdanger9395we have so many different things here don't forget steamers. Clam cakes baked stuffed clams corn chowder. Lobster bisque. And technically we can claim good donuts as Quincy Massachusetts is the home of Dunkins. Though not so special today.

[@-4subscriberswithahammerad521]

I’m going to try the most exotic instant ramen on a college student budget of 5 dollars

[@petergriffin2171]

Not funny at all

[@user-ze8tz7cw7h]

in syria its 20 cents

[@blackroses6764]

@@petergriffin2171 It is very funny

[@inconsolable6]

Not funny

[@miggy4105]

You can try chicken, beef, pork

[@spymit007]

Massachusetts native here, born in Worcester and currently live in the North End in Boston. Here's what I'd have spent $50 on in one day: -Breakfast/Brunch at the Paramount on Charles St. in Beacon Hill -Slice of pizza and and arancini at Galleria Umberto in the North End -A couple donuts and an iced coffee at Kanes in the Financial District -Burger, Fries, and a Beer at Tasty Burger (various locations in Boston - this is a local chain)

[@hunter6719]

No bags at spags

[@Raspy978]

Remember when Rachael Ray had a show called "$40 a day"?

[@stevenbotwin]

jabba978 I don’t. What it was?

[@Beastbadd84]

@@stevenbotwin Great show, Rachael would travel to Europe and try 3 different restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner and stay under 40$, was a good show and she didn't have to tip in Europe.

[@yellowflash7793]

*Freddy: "Say it, Frenchy! Say 'chowder'!"* *Waiter: "Never!"*

[@damanipage5990]

Im a Boston native and never ate any of this food before. New bucket list!!

[@besteverepicmillennial5927]

She just ripped off Rachael Rays Boston food experience from 15 years ago on $40 dollar budget show - wow

[@edisakuroki5414]

I doubt it, like you said it's 15 years ago. There's also a lot of budget videos around.

[@nawalibrahim_]

The first time I am ever early on a video❤️. Love your vids

[@thegourmetgrandadandfamily]

Yep You did well there .. got any jobs..LOL........🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sanyukimuli9404]

I went to Quincy market a few years back, my mom said I couldn’t have the lobster because it was too expensive. So I got a Philly cheesesteak , which isn’t even native to Boston, but is one of my favorite foods to this day.

[@pedroportillo1585]

I live in Chicago, but I’m sure every big City in the US have their mom and pop places that are better and cheaper than what was presented here.

[@The.Artistic.Squirrel]

I loved Mickeys out offa St Charles Rd. Would take it over Portillos any day!

[@pedroportillo1585]

@@The.Artistic.Squirrel Thanks for the recommendation. It’s not too far from my house! I’m going to try it!!!

[@The.Artistic.Squirrel]

@@pedroportillo1585 omg please try EVERYTHING! If you made a vid of you walking up and trying the beefs, hotdogs, and a tamale I’d LOVE U!

[@pedroportillo1585]

@@The.Artistic.Squirrel I’ll get right on it. I’ll put it video game analysis channel though. I have been wanting to mix things for a bit now. Just give me a month or 2 to get to it.

[@summersands8105]

There used to be a bowling alley just on the outskirts of Boston, off of I95. They had THE most AWESOME sweet bread. I used to make a trip up from Virginia just to get loaves of the blueberry, cream cheese raisin and the cranberry orange breads. They were SOOOOO GOOD!!! Sadly, the bowling alley is gone and so is the little bakery/cafe that was inside.

[@fabianmcintyre5901]

On my most recent vacation to Boston, MA, I tried the lobster rolls, and it tasted okay. I would try it again.

[@hanglee5586]

Fenway Park is such a rip-off when u can get the same hot dog and beer-at the Brukowski Cafe on the cheap and better food.

[@linalevitin5792]

As a Bostonian very true also I dont understand why she even went to modern pastry we all know Mike's is the bomb

[@Jayzone702]

They’re just Kayem hot dogs boiled in water from the Charles 😂😂 but when in Fenway, it’s a requirement. I get a sausage sub myself. More worth the money in my opinion

[@sychobones3788]

I work down the street from Quincy market and have for the past year and a half. It's basically expensive mall food. Plenty of other spots in the area she could've gone too that would've been significantly cheaper, or at least same price but better food. As for fenway, tradition is to get really drunk and show up around the 3rd inning... At least it has been for me lol

[@chophappy]

I would love to see them try this in my city of New York!

[@indakitchensajapancemnenad5521]

I like videos like this one 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 It's interesting 🤗😋😋😋

[@lorocantv]

To live in Boston, you need to have a pretty good job to be able to live comfortably. I live just outside of Boston, and it’s wayyyyyy more affordable and the food is just a little car ride away. Mikes Pastry is indeed the best and the lobster roll and clam chowder aren’t lying either. I’ve had all of these things and Boston food is really good 😋😋

[@strangerdanger9395]

mikes is highkey a tourist trap now

[@Ppppppooopooo]

You need to have a pretty good job to live anywhere in eastern Massachusetts thanks to gentrification.

[@Unique007]

Food Insider Fans Spread Love Everywhere You Go. Let No One Ever Come To You Without Leaving Happier*

[@shirostateira6988]

How would you spend your money in Boston? For us that live here, we mostly spend it on rent. They may not be that expensive but the rent sure is.

[@PARTHASARATHISAMANTARAY]

As an international student from India, I second that.

[@seafoam6965]

As a Boston resident I agree with this soo much

[@michaelauger8077]

I live in North Carolina now but still enjoy visiting Boston. The highlight is the farmers market. It is ridiculously expensive to eat there. Go Celtics!

[@imemonmizi]

With 50$ I can eat 15days in Bangladesh 😍

[@rafabornita3711]

And our food is so freaking yummm♥

[@imemonmizi]

@@rafabornita3711 Yap 😘

[@Ihackmyphone]

And then 30days sitting on a toilet

[@TheOrin123]

Alessandro yea because all you eat is bland food. No spice, no taste no flavor.. you wouldn’t be able to handle it.

[@imemonmizi]

@@TheOrin123 Bang On 😉

[@alucard3600]

Tour at Sam Adams Brewery, you get free beer to try, then take the party trolley to Doyle's Cafe, their lobster rolls are only $10 and are amazing! I always do this same thing when I take a trip to Boston for EBF every year.

[@85daywalker]

Did u even finish wat u bought?

[@elliez.3561]

This should definitely be a series! Going around the US and doing the same thing in various cities!

[@rachelrose3279]

i remember when rachel ray did that lol

[@yumwithmel]

I might re-make this $50 a day video to make up for the food she didn't eat, haha

[@paulson2008]

Do more videos like this with each city

[@RashadDHawkins]

I like this. It reminds me of that old Rachel Ray show I used to watch

[@elleni-41]

My best friend left boston cause it was so expensive...n she made good money...one bedroom apt. For 1800 a month, wtf!!

[@elleni-41]

@@Neil__Craig ...hell no!

[@dakotamathis6072]

yea everywhere in mass is pretty expensive anywhere you go, unless you wanna move to a pretty ghetto place like springfield, brockton, Lawrence etc. i live on the cape and in boston and i find that the cape is a lot. more than living in the city because there is more water surrounding you.

[@khaniyahairston111]

Elleni -36 yeaaa I live in Boston the houses out here are literally expensive for no reason

[@dollymarie5359]

That's why I am moving to Arizona haha much lower cost of living and u get more space

[@edelaney31]

$1,800/month for a 1-bedroom is a steal!

[@iamjason1279]

To really enjoy Boston you need to be ready to spend at least $1,000 /day

[@chrisw5953]

50 bucks would get me a happy ending

[@SUJIFOODIES]

Totally iconic.. I'd never seen these types of foods..share with us. from India.let's stay connected ❤️

[@davidfaas58777]

Lobster and Clam Chowder looks good

[@indigoglooracleandmore5253]

I thought Modern Pastry was the best cannolis. I'm so in love with them. I haven't tried Mike's I have to try Mike's!

[@packertai1]

Yum! I am hungry now!

[@thefabulousnarwhal5410]

I can't remember the last time I spent 50 bucks on food in a day out on the town tbh😂

[@racheys8424]

Make this a series

[@dillry6423]

Steamers with some beer to wash it down. Clam cakes and chowder, fish and chips! Lobster rolls 🥺 I miss New England

[@ghosttbutt]

They got a Samuel Addams Bar at Faneuil Hall now. Looking forward to this summer when things go back to normal hopefully.

[@hun_dj7042]

Yum

[@TM-hl7do]

you need to go to Belmont pizza. Gregs. Celebrity pizza (their clam chowder is delicious and so is their ice cream) . D'augustinos. you limited yourself to just the markets and north end. stretch out and look in small towns like Cambridge, watertown, arlington, belmont and Lexington. youll be surprised what gold you'll find, coming from a Belmont native.

[@rednail7904]

When you’re on a diet but still love food

[@thisperson444]

I love food 😀

[@ashleysanders6410]

I work in the area, and she got the worst lobster roll over there at Boston and Maine Fish company. The clam Chowder from the Boston Chowder is delicious.

[@lety85af]

I live in Boston So I don’t know how to answer that! 😂

[@biancaservellon8009]

Should’ve went to a Hispanic joint

[@paulwillisishiphop]

Word... Miami's Restaurant in JP for the steak and onions and tostones or Cafe Oriental for the mofongo

[@limabean7235]

East Boston for Hispanic food👍

[@awdwee4132]

Yeah.. You said you loved the food, but I feel like you rated it like you hated it. 😬

[@zykit730]

Bostonians where you at?

[@bensu4729]

the best thing you can do is ask a local to help you, I barely go to Boston but luckily my cousins are native Bostonians so I get all the good spots that don't destroy my wallet

[@sues9809]

I have been to Boston the last years and my sister’s and I are planning on going in a couple of weeks. If you know you’re going somewhere where the food may cost more, save. To me, I want to eat foods or go to restaurants, I don’t have back home. I want to try something new!!!

[@dalia2913]

You should've went to the heart of the city in Roxbury at Dudley square and tried Joe's steak n cheese sub 😋😋yummy yummy BOSTON STRONG💜💪🏽💜

[@jazminsmith2034]

Dalia Gang Gang!! YES!!! Or even ideal's for a simple Italian sub

[@errty1469]

I was there 8-10 days before her and eating lobster rolls are extremely pricey. A world famous place by the Quincy shore area is a place that sells lobsters rolls for $25 bucks. Expensive

[@mikeykhoe]

Go to cambridge, theres a mini asia town there. Thai, chinese, korean, 50 bucks could last u 3 days. Its right near boston college.

[@EL-kf8nq]

I always thought Harvard and MIT were in Cambridge, and Boston College was out in Chestnut Hill. They must’ve moved them. I gotta pay more attention.

[@robertcook2097]

It’s crazy to me that she’s there... like, I have been to the same locations. That never happens in New England lol. It’s always NYC and LA. And I’m not from Boston, I just visit. I’m actually from Connecticut

[@daineleiteevans]

Oh, so tasty!! I would like to prove It!! I love lobster!!

[@danieleverhart7711]

I did this recently...$30 for a lobster roll most places and closer to $10 for chowder bread bowl

[@JustinY.]

Now try a student's most ironic food with just two bucks

[@petergriffin2171]

Not funny at all

[@ryannclaytor7828]

Justin Y. It’s iconic not ironic...

[@averagemitskifan8299]

Ayyy I haven’t seen u comment in like 2 months

[@masseffectandromedapadvind261]

You suck

[@lukeWiz44]

Found a Justin y comment with only a few likes. Cool.

[@TopTum]

Pretty sure Rachel Ray had something like this as a show

[@rohoeszn]

Boston has amazing pasta too

[@dollymarie5359]

My home town, born n raised in the north end, Italian pride

[@richardsharpe54]

Fish and chips on Castle Island. Beautiful and tasty.

[@prashantmankarmacharya]

Here in nepal for 50 dollars we can have best foods enough for more than 5 days. 😄

[@dajurniesofar4362]

This episode feels like you guys were just hanging out in Boston and not actually doing a food segment. You could’ve probably found all those items cheaper better at less known places to highlight Boston better but instead you went to all the tourist areas and show everyone what everyone is already seeing.

[@HeyBoz-04]

First thing I would do is not go to any tourist traps for food. Quincy Market is fun and all but there are plenty of lobster rolls to be had pretty much anywhere, everywhere, else.

[@leaphengleng2941]

It looks even more expeneive than in San Francisco. As restaurants in SF seem to be cheaper than that.

[@khaniyahairston111]

Lmaooa I live in Boston and I can say some things are pretty expensive

[@ManOfSteel1]

1:45 the way you shut the bun ... lol

[@shaallen8412]

I would definitely eat the lobster 🦞 roll, and a cannoli because I’ve never had either.

[@pauldavid8445]

Hello beautiful, how are you doing today?

[@paulwillisishiphop]

-$10 Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel and a coffee from Dunkin -$10 Beef patties with coco bread and a water; -$10 a slice and a soda at NY pizza on Mass Ave and Colombus; -$20 late night breakfast at Victoria's .... and you'll have some change left over

[@juliuscarlodegracia3478]

This lady is very boring eating those delicious foods like she doesnt like it. Just for the sake of content

[@drsreelakshmikaamaakhya7553]

50 d's?? Don't you think it's expensive??? With 50 dollars... it's heaven for Indian street food

[@crazychicSHENA]

Boston we have the best foods I going too miss my favourite friendLys restaurant😢

[@gc6358]

A huge Hot dog and a drink $ 1.50 Costco’s. Lobster roll $ 10 at Papa Gino’s. Clam chowder $5.50 per bowl bottomless at UNO’s. Splurge on the cannoli of your choice.

[@nevaehscott4857]

As a Bostonian... I love Boston, but it's soooo expensive here!

[@IzzyM486]

you can see my apartment in the background 😂

[@khaniyahairston111]

Ps... not every Bostonian like nor eats lobster lobster rolls and clam chowder..😂

[@BarbaraJohn92]

I have "only 50 dollars for food😀 wtf? 😀

[@juliewitt1411]

Having come from a few "Bostonians" who relocated to the Midwest some 60 years ago, the one thing I do know is Boston prices are out of its ass.

[@jeffdias238]

2:37 CRIPPPPPPPP CUHHHH

[@manuelaalves589]

Some things in boston are at an u reasonable price, some things aren’t. All these places are amazing at fannual hall, plus there’s other things too. This is a native Bostonian talking btw

[@tinaloveseddie]

Clam chowder looked watery🤨

[@mariapyretzi2010]

tf does soup supposed to look like

[@tinaloveseddie]

Maria Pyretzi clam chowder should be thick and creamy that looked like watery piss😂