The smell of cheap beer often signifies great food. Proof of this theory is found at Bukowski’s Tavern in Cambridge, where the red and black décor mixed with the alluring aroma of day-old beer draws patrons in with promises of a delicious meal.
For those seeking a classic, really good hamburger — the type you’d find at a beer-soaked tailgate — Bukowski’s delivers. Its famed “Buck Burger” ($1.69 on weekdays before 8 p.m.) comes to a modestly priced $3.89 with added cheese and fries.
The beer selection — bottled and draft — is huge. A wheel mounted on the wall presents the most exciting college edition of Wheel of Fortune imaginable — more than 20 sections, colorfully decorated with different brands of beer, await the clicker to land. One waitress explains, “you spin it, you own it,” evidently an answer to people who can’t make up their mind given the large beer selection.
During the early evening, most dining drinkers look like regulars, and it’s too early for the place to be crowded. They’ve obviously figured out that Bukowski’s combination of cheap food, beer, and a space to take your time with all of it is priceless.