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Undercaffeinated to lose Refuge in Allston
By adamg on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 12:18pm
Dave Goodrich shows us the sign that Refuge Cafe at Harvard and Brighton avenues is closing forever at the end of the month.
Jennifer Lee, owner of Myong Dong, snapped up the closed Allston Cafe in 2011 to keep Starbucks out of Allston. Allston Cafe in turn was a reincarnation of the Herrell's that used to be there.
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Comments
The Saltiest Burrito
I've ever had was there. It was crippling. Like, the staff had a vendetta against me.
No tears here
Every time I went in that place, I felt like I was doing the business a favor, not the other way around. Was the character of the place worth paying twice as much as Dunks and waiting 10x as long for food? I guess not.
Permanatly?
n/t
It was a slow but inevitable
It was a slow but inevitable descent from the heady days of Herrell's. I will always remember their high quality unpretentious coffees and food and friendly down-to-earth hospitality. Many mornings spent lingering over blueberry coffee and blueberry pancakes, or a Meg muffin with grape jelly, and orange juice squeezed to order, wondering which of the staffers might be most likely to achieve musical fame. Allston Cafe was a good effort to continue that tradition but it soon became apparent they couldn't afford to keep up with changing times (i.e.: rents.) I only remember going once or twice after the present shop opened there. Something intangible had been lost. I only hope a new owner can regain it, whether or not they have a name we recognize. Just please not another bubble tea shop.
Herrell's was great
I used to enjoy breakfast there. The coffee was great and they'd serve pancakes / waffles with tons of fruit on top. Great stuff. The woman who owned/ran that place was great too--what ever happened to her? Bertie, Gertie, Birdy...I hope she cashed in when she sold that place.
Ahhh Herrels.... And youth I guess.
Herrels was so awesome if slightly dingy. The food already felt clean, and it was lacto-ovo veg.
Wanted to love refugee. Went about a dozen times, pulled at least 3 hairs out of my mouth then quit.
'Bucks isn't that bad - beats hairy.
But good food, clean, and friendly would be better.
I see Birdie at least quarterly. She is still around Allston - but with a family. ;)
Allston is home!
Oh that's great!!
Glad to hear she's still around. Tell her one of her fans says hi. And if she ever opens another cafe, post about it here!
That's a shame
Thank you to Jennifer Lee for trying to keep a key spot in Allston local. And if nothing else, the new layout was a vast improvement. (don't get me wrong, I loved Herrell's and was there daily back when I was still drinking coffee, but the layout made no sense, with the counter up against the windows and all the tables crammed into a small nearly windowless space). Unfortunately I wonder now if the remodeling work will make it that much easier for whatever chain to move right in.