Scup's in the Harbour - East Boston

Scup's in the Harbour
256 Marginal Street
East Boston, MA 02128
(617) 569-7287
www.scupsintheharbour.com

I love to find great spots for breakfast. Even more, I like hidden breakfast spots. I will happily pronounce Scup's to be the most hidden breakfast spot I have yet to find. I'm sure the challenges await.


Scup's is located in a Boston shipyard, away from any other food establishments. In fact, one can see boats, strange sculptures (a seawoman, a cleaver, a giant fish), airplanes, and peculiar yield signs, including someone with a fork in his/her back. Although this blog is not limited to those gems which are hidden, this eatery defines "hidden gem." And if there was such a term as "random gem," it would claim that too.

Aside from the sheer hidden-ness of it all, the food is fantastic. The breakfast menu is somewhat small, but it changes often. The brioche French toast is spectacular, with interesting, fresh toppings, such as orangy rum bananas and blueberries with brown sugar whipped cream. And the owner called me a "man" for eating it. Imagine me grunting now.

The menu further includes breakfast sandwiches, including one with potato chips and "trust us" in parentheses (and you should trust them), baked eggs with your choice of fillings, and the millionaire's bacon with brown sugar and spices. The funny thing is that Scup's seems to accolades in local publications for BLTs and frankfurters, neither of which I've tried. But I imagine they are as delicious as breakfast. Ah, and another thing: the beer list is small, but good and local. Ooh, ooh, and they have a mimosa with lemonade instead of OJ.

Scup's was named after the owners' dog, who was found close by. When attending Scup's, you will find many wonderful things, including an owner chatting it up with everyone, long tables to encourage community and mingling, things hanging from the pipes, a picture frame with no picture, a fake spider, and a warm fireplace. Oh yeah, and a gem, the likes of which you have yet to find.

Why it's a gem:

Um, it's in the middle of nowhere. In a city.
Fantastic, creative food -- all of it.
Community oriented
Quirky

Tips:

It's located next to Piers Park, which has what I believe to be the best view of the city.
Talk to people -- you're supposed to.
Subscribe to the newsletter -- it's written from the point of view of Scup.