Belly Buster Diner — Restaurant in Billerica

Came here based on decent reviews. Ended up having a pretty bad experience.

Upon first walk in place looks a little run down, but I thought, ok, hoepfully the food is good.

Got the fish&chips lunch special $8.99. The fish itself was fresh and good. Batter had no seasoning, felt like just straight flour. In fact fries not seasoned either. Tarter sauce looked suspiciously yellow...but still tasted ok. I really wanted to like this place, I really did, as I like to stumble upon small diners that serve good food, but it just wasn't there.

Once I get the bill I'm charged $10.99. I asked why and the server told me since they started using fresh fish recently it went up and they didn't change it on the menu yet. Well, that wasn't explained when I ordered it. I asked to change it, at first the manager/owner didn't want to. I was like guys, I'm gonna stick to this just out of principle and fair business practice. They ended up changing the bill for me.

Then they kept re-telling my why, I said I understand why but it's not really fair to charge me more than what I was expecting to pay. It's like filling up with 87 at a gas station, then the attendant tells you that they actually put 93 and making me pay for it. Well, that's where you have to eat the cost of your mistake/un-attentiveness.

Then when I finally paid with a card, there was no line for tip, I asked why and the server said they just don't do tips from card. ???? I went to the car and got some cash for her. After all the server was very good and was just doing her job. And I don't even blame her for forgetting to tell me the updated price, they have enough to worry about. The menu should be up to date, or at least have...

HORRIBLE take out interaction with one of the “ladies” in the front!!! I came in to pick up an order my boyfriend placed over the phone. Spresa! was in the front and asked me what i was here for , i stated im picking up a to go order. She stated “ok give me one sec” & as i stood in front of her waiting for her to check on my order. Spresa, was doing god knows what on the register for 10 minutes in silence. After 10 minutes, she turned her back on me and standards assisting other customers who were dining in, i got frustrated & stated, “Is my order ready?” Spresa stated “Is it a door dash order” I said no. She then goes and ACTUALLY checks for my order after the fact that she ignored me for 10 minutes and assisted other customers. She gave the excuse that it was busy but there was two people at the stools …. I got frustrated and wanted to speak to a manager but she then stated “There is no manager” . I then asked her for her name and she stated “Don’t worry about it” . I don’t think that’s the attitude you want to please your customers , especially in the morning. Absolutely nasty girl with a nasty attitude. None the less! My boyfriend works down the street & orders breakfast from here almost every day! Lost not one, but TWO loyal customers due to a very nasty...

This place seems like a local favorite (even though I am a local), and that has to be my best guess as to why it’s gotten such great reviews. I tried Belly Buster four whole times before reviewing. The regulars are well received with smiles and chit chat; so much so that three of the four times we were there we waited an obnoxiously long time for our check. The food is lackluster and very plain Jane. I would absolutely love to say this is a hidden gem in Billerica; a hole in the wall that births regulars for a good reason (like I said, I didn’t post my review until I felt I had given more than enough fair chances to impress), but neither my guests nor myself quite “got it.” I’ve had better food at service stations on the side of the highways on road trips, unfortunately. My friend refered to it as “Bachelor-cooked food,” which I thought was both funny and accurate. And as a side note: I’m from the South.. and their “Southerner’s Breakfast” is downright shameful. The decor is horribly dated, which could actually be cute and even add personality if the food made up for it in flavor. It’s just not a comfy place. Needs work both in the FOH and BOH. Sorry. I hate leaving not-so-great reviews. :( Room for...