Restaurant Review - Mary Chung

Mary Chung

464 Massachusetts Avenue
Central Square, Cambridge, MA 02139-4132

(617) 864-1991

In the spirit of healthy eating, some of my friends have been very helpful.  Some kick me in the butt when I order something I shouldn’t; some celebrate my progress (down 57 lbs and still at it.)

One client/friend isn’t getting the healthy eating thing.  The last place we went served over a dozen types of meat….all at one time.  We were at the MIT CIO Symposium, and the boxed lunches didn’t look “appetizing.”  So it was off for Chinese food, at a long time restaurant Mary Chung.

Mary Chung is located on Massachusetts Avenue, a short walk from the MIT Campus.  The restaurant is located in a simple building, without anything remarkable to draw you in.  In fact, you would probably walk by it without looking. It turns out my buddy lived in the area when he first started working after college.  He and his Indian roommate would go to Mary Chung because there were plenty of options for satiating my carnivorous friend AND his vegetarian roommate.

No wonder.  The menu, protected by plastic sheet protectors, has over 243 items….and they can alter spicy for “mild, medium or very hot.”  I was forewarned, the very hot, “will have you breaking out in perspiration.”  The menu has Chinese and English, with the English being an add since my buddy lived there.

Serving only beer and wine, the lunch crowd was a series of business people and researchers.  Apparently the evening crowd tends to be more MIT fraternity types…attending after their weekly chapter meetings.

Food quantity was generous.  I went with the relatively safe and conservative General Gau’s Chicken, and found the chicken tasty in a thick yet not overpowering batter.  I didn’t specify “hotness,” and found the standard fare quite mild.

Be aware, Mary Chung is a cash only business.  The bill for lunch was $53 for four, not bad for the amount of food consumed.

The interior environment is clean yet simple, and apparently never changes.  Nor does the food I’m told, food everyone at our table handsomely consumed with leftovers available.

Mary Chung isn’t a destination restaurant you simply have to go to.  However, if in the area it is a safe bet for great Chinese.

Hours

Sun, Mon, Wes, Thur – 11:30AM – 10:00PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:30-AM – 11:00PM
Closed Tuesdays

Lunch
Monday-Friday 11:30AM -2:30PM (except holidays)

Chinese Brunch (Dim Sum) Saturday and Sunday 11:30AM – 3:00PM

Mary Chung gets a GREEN LIGHT…go and enjoy.

About the RAG scale:

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

       Amber Light – Use caution

       Red Light – Save your time and money

The Author

Gary Kelley has lived in Westborough since 1994. His reviews are what he would tell friends, and are not an academic analysis. You can follow him @glkelley or www.garylkelley.com