BRED Gourmet’s Smoked Burgers Come to Kendall Square
On the menu: Caribbean, Cajun, and comedy nights
Photo Courtesy of BRED Gourmet
Photo Courtesy of BRED Gourmet
Photo Courtesy of BRED Gourmet
BRED Gourmet
★★★★
Caribbean/Cajun, $$
730 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Monday to Thursday:
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday:
11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
The dining areas of BRED Gourmet are relaxing during early lunch hours, with green and grey couches spread around the restaurant in cozy nooks. Soul music plays quietly over the speakers in the background of diners’ casual chatter. Afternoon light shines through the many windows, brightening up the restaurant and showing off its earthy color scheme.
Tambo and Venus Barrow recently opened BRED Gourmet, a Caribbean and Cajun inspired restaurant specializing in smoked burgers, in Kendall Square last October, which features a brand new breakfast and brunch menu, as well as catering. Their options are extensive, offering items ranging from burgers to loaded fries. Many dishes, like the Kobe sando with buttermilk fried chicken and Gochujang sauce, reflect fusion styles that the Barrows picked up while travelling. “We like to travel a lot, so sometimes we just feel inspired by the different flavors. We’re always trying different fusions or combinations,” Venus said.
BRED Gourmet’s Kendall Square location is the second one to open; its flagship store in Dorchester recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. BRED was also voted as Boston’s Best Burger in 2021. From its inception, BRED has always been inspired by culture: when Tambo was considering entering the restaurant business, he wanted to make burgers with flavors he was culturally accustomed to. “Our motto is spreading love through food and familiarity, so food is just something that brings people together through all cultures,” Venus added. “We feel passionate about connecting with the community.” To that end, BRED Gourmet is planning on hosting community events throughout the year, like comedy nights, speed dating, and DJs on Saturdays.
For lunch, we ordered the Maui Burger, the BRED Salmon Burger, the side of Cajun fries, the Mean Green Smoothie, and the classic beignets. The burgers came on metal trays with a knife through the middle, a signature at BRED. The Maui Burger featured a mix of sweet and savory flavors, with grilled pineapple, smoked pork belly, crispy onions, and chunks of sweet plantains. The flavors and textures were thoroughly enjoyable; the plantains were the star of the show, offering a subtle sweetness that complemented the tart of the pineapple and the umami of the beef patty. This combination of ingredients was one we had never seen before, and remained a memorable pick.
The BRED Salmon Burger was delicious; although the restaurant focuses more on its chicken and red meat offerings, the salmon was exceptional. The patty wasn’t too dense or chewy, and was spiced well for the fish. The burger was layered with crispy fried onions and tartar slaw which contrasted well against the soft salmon patty and added a bright, sharp punch to the meal.
As a side, Tambo recommended the Cousin Stizz Fries, cajun fries loaded with buttermilk fried chicken, chipotle aioli, and scallions. All of the sides seemed hearty and filling, with plenty of smoked meat and fries. However, we chose the stripped-down, regular cajun fries, which were crispy and spiced well but not particularly special.
In addition to a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, BRED offered a small but reasonable smoothie selection. We ordered a Mean Green Smoothie, which consisted of greens, pineapple, apple, and banana. The drink had a clean, fruity flavor, and was refreshing and delicious without being too sweet.
For dessert, we ordered the beignets, as they seemed to touch on the New Orleans inspiration of the restaurant. They were very pillowy and delicate, and the chocolate spread they came with was dense and complemented the lightness of the beignets well. They weren’t too greasy, and the powdered sugar remained on the pastries without dissolving into the fat.
Overall, the food offerings were excellent, though a bit pricey. However, BRED offers a 15% discount for MIT students, which might reduce some of the financial sting. They are also considering offering TechCash as a means to pay soon. Its location at The Engine is not the liveliest place to be, but is only a 10 to 15 minute walk from campus, which is close to Cafe Luna. BRED is also open to catering for student clubs and events, and is otherwise available for delivery on Uber, Grubhub, and DoorDash. As a casual dinner or a unique brunch stop, BRED is a place to return to.