J J Restaurant & Takeout — Restaurant in Somerville

Hole in the Wall Restaurant that offers heartwarming Portuguese fare.

With its modest facade, one may walk past without giving it a second glance, but step inside, and you'll be embraced by a warm, local atmosphere replete with the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals.

Before even perusing the menu, the complimentary Graco de Bico salad, served with the bread basket, set the tone for the meal. A simple ensemble of garbanzo beans, bell peppers, and onions seasoned with olive oil and vinegar, it whetted the appetite, highlighting the beauty of humble ingredients.

The appetizers, Bolinho de Bacalhau (Cod cake) and Rissois de Camarao (Shrimp cake), each encased in a golden, crispy shell, were a study in contrasts. While both were delicious in their own right, the cod cake stood out with its robust flavors and firmer texture, overshadowing the slightly watery shrimp cake.

When it came to the entrées, "generosity" was the watchword. Substantial portions ensured not just satiety, but also a delightful indulgence in simple, rustic flavors. The Grilled Chicken, drenched in a zesty garlic sauce, was tender and the sauce added a nice tang. The Bacalhau a Casa, with its elastic texture, was also good. However, a small hiccup was the presence of bones, which made savoring the dish a tad challenging.

J J Restaurant brings to the table a unique rendition of Portuguese cuisine, deviating slightly from the more popular variants found in Portuguese spots across Cambridge. But it's this very deviation that's its charm. The unpretentious ambiance, combined with hearty meals and affable service, makes it an occasional must-visit, especially for those seeking a genuine taste of Portugal...

The food was amazing. Authentic, rich, and lots of it.

I was deeply disappointed by the service. My husband and I are visiting Boston and we biked 13 miles round trip to get some delicious Portuguese food. We showed up two hours and fifteen minutes before closing, but the woman who served us was really unfriendly from the beginning. Maybe it's just her style, but she seemed visibly annoyed with us - no greeting, barely spoke to us, checked her watch so many times. They started mopping to floors at 8, which honestly wouldn't have bothered me as much if our server hadn't been so blatantly annoyed at us being there.

Example: my husband asked for some bread to sop up his broth with, but was told there was none. But when I went to the restroom right before, I saw a big basket of bread on the counter.

We ended up rushing through our dinner and spent not even half of what we would have if we'd gotten drinks, dessert, etc.

If the service has been decent - not excellent, just enough to not make us feel uncomfortable- this easily would've been a 5-star review based on how good the food was. But in the end it wasn't the...

Absolutely down right delicious authentic home style Portuguese food!!! I'm very picky and usually stray from ordering certain dishes that I'm used to having only made by myself or family!!! They are the real deal hands down. A cuzinheira/o (chef) need a standing ovation... Also the starter salad which is a garbanzo with pickled onions and peppers is to die for soooooooo good and it's FREE. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The place is modest however very clean. A little hidden Portuguese Gem that I happen to stumble into by mistake but soooooooo happy I did. People give it a try I guarantee it won't disappoint. GREAT FOOD AT AWESOME PRICES. Thank you for bringing a little bit of Portugal done right to...