Sound Bites

It's simple: SOUND BITES NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS!! I wish I could give ZERO STARS!! The food is NOT FRESH, as confirmed by the manager. The service is reprehensible. Here's what I had: Corn beef hash - it tasted like a SALT BOMB. I asked if it was normally so salty and the response was a resounding YES. Rather than take responsibility for giving customers food that is over-salted, the manager told me it's the beef vendor's fault. Since the food was not edible I asked for something else. I chose the ""real crab meat"" eggs benedict. The ""real (OUT OF A CAN) crab meat"" eggs benedict made the disgusting corn beef hash taste good. The crab was almost as mushy as my grilled mashed potato. The tomatoes on the eggs benny were not very fresh. The grilled mash was cold on the outside, warm on the inside. I have every reason to believe this was pre-made and left under a heat lamp. The poached egg was the worst part of this dish. How can something be worse than the mushy, from a can, crab meat? The poached eggs were practically hard boiled. They tried to cover it up with the gross hollandaise sauce. I can't believe the chef would allow such a disaster on a plate to leave his/her kitchen. What a mess!!! My friend ordered the Royale Breakfast with an egg white, mushroom and cheese scramble, bacon, and french toast. The cheese on the scramble wasn't melted properly. It was more like an afterthought. The flavor was bland. The french toast was not fresh. It was not even warm enough to melt the butter that was placed on it. We think it may have come out of the microwave, but are not sure. Also, they never once made an effort to take a drink order from my friend. ***If the food portion of this review doesn't keep you away from Sound Bites, then maybe the service aspect will.*** The restaurant is lucky to be busy because of the local college students that are constantly pouring in and out of there. The food is cheap enough so that you don't feel like you wasted A LOT of money. So if it's bad, you will probably just suck it up. I was asked how my meal was and I expressed my displeasure each time. Each time my opinion fell on deaf ears. The manager was like The TEFLON DON. He listened, but gave an excuse for everything that was wrong with the meal and service. The beef is salty due to the supplier. The crab meat is mushy due to coming out of a can. The eggs were poached before they came out of the kitchen. BLAH BLAH BLAH... Everything was associated with an excuse and the manager didn't care if we liked it or not. Sadly, the manager's opinion (after having worked there for ""over 15 years"") is that they are busy and if someone doesn't like something he can give them something else. I wouldn't eat here if every meal was free for the rest of my life!! Ball Square Cafe or Neighborhood Cafe are well worth your money and are very close by. Do yourself a favor: AVOID SOUND BITES AT ALL COSTS!!! ******** FROM THE OWNER OF SOUND BITES (after I posted this review on Yelp): ""lets call it two strikes and we're OUT ! we had a lot of fun with this after you left,"" - yasser m. He has emailed me numerous times with nothing but insults and bullying tactics. What a shame! Shame on you Yasser!!! more

Yes there is a line. Yes Yasser is abrupt. And yes, you won't find too many better breakfast joints around. The omlettes are fluffy, filled with flavorful fresh ingredients and not sitting in a pool of butter/grease. The fruit plate is the best around - papaya and mango anyone? The pancakes are puffy, not dense rocks and served -go figure- hot! The menu is filled with plenty of selections that are both unusual and familiar, making it tough to make a choice. There is a nice use of spice here that is sorely lacking in a lot of breakfast places and the homefries... well you might call them crackfries. You WILL get a craving for them. Yes Yasser is caustic and abrasive, but at least he has a personality and is honest about who he is and his business. Let's face it folks... it's breakfast. Turn and burn. If you are looking for a leisurely time, go have brunch somewhere. Having been in the business for years, breakfast is expected to be quick and painless, which this is. It's a huge bonus that the food is so good. Sidenote: Do I want to go to a restaurant next door that offers the same menu? No. I support the guy that has the creativity to open and operate a business and build loyal clientelle. Copying a menu is not building a business, it is a sign of laziness and lack of originality. I know many people who would give their left arm to open a restaurant and cook food near and dear to their heart. I'll go to that guy. Pros: Fantastic food Cons: Parking more

I've been going to Sound Bites with a group of friends for the last few years. We have always been welcomed and treated as warmly as a new face walking through the door. The owner is very polite and really makes sure customers leave happy. There can be a long wait but I heard that they are opening for breakfast full time. I'm really looking forward to it! The tvs also make it a great bar to sit down at and enjoy the game. Definitely a place to put on your local hang out list! Pros: Food, service, TVs, menu, price, drinks Cons: Parking more

First let's start off with the long wait, getting fake smiles from the staff, and then the rushed service (if you even want to call it service). Food is bland and nothing really wows your taste buds especially for the price and the indigestion you get stemming from the constant badgering from the manager to eat your food and leave immediately. That guy is so rude that I've even seen him tell customers to put their coffees from Truegrounds (really good coffee shop just across the street) on the floor while ridiculing them for offending him by not buying his watered down and flavorless coffee. Not the type of establishment that I have promised myself not to continue to do business. Instead, take a few steps and go over to Ball Square Cafe where there is rarely a wait and isn't stuffy, cold (the door in Soundbites constantly brings in cold air), rude, and where you are NOT given poor service. You will actually be able to enjoy your meal at a great price nor get overcharged like the owner from Soundbites did to my girlfriend and I one day. Everything is great from the corned beef hash (loads of corned beef and onions- not too many potatoes) to the omelettes (try the steak and cheese, its to die for!) and even brunch/lunch items like their burgers are juicy and HUGE! The service is amazing and even though the owner, Mike, is a chatterbox he is genuine and very welcoming. Comforting food at a great price- can't beat it but if I can tell you in all honesty- DO NOT EAT AT SOUNDBITES: SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO TO BALL SQUARE CAFE INSTEAD! Pros: NOTHING Cons: Everything- go to BALL SQUARE CAFE instead. more

The first thing i ever heard upon moving to Somerville was to try this ""fantastic"" brunch place. But let me tell you, there is not one thing good about this place. The staff is horrible, and i have worked in the restaurant business my whole life. I don't understand how this place stays afloat. But if you like over-cooked eggs, undercooked waffles, being overcharged for coffees (the owner purposely charges tabs for 4 coffees instead of two), waiting on line for hours with Tufts kids, and being treated like a dog than this is the place for you! Pros: nothing Cons: everything more

Food was OK nothing great, wait was long, there was no room to move inside, we were seated by the window which was freezing. Owner was very rude as we waited for our food. Our neighbors got their food, ate it and left and we had not only not received our food but no one ever came back to our table to check on us. When we asked about our food we were yelled at that ""$75,000 is being spent to enlarge the kitchen so YOU have a 5 minute less wait"". In the end we left no tip due to the rudeness of the owner. As we got up to leave he ran over to our table (the first time he came back in the hour and a half we were in his store) and proceeded to scream at me that ""I should be nice to people"" because we didn't leave him a tip. I ignored him and left but he chased me outside and was screaming at us in the street in front of the customers waiting in line. I have never, in all of my 50 years, been chased outside a store by an owner or an employee, having them swearing at me because I would not leave them a tip. With a line of people at his door he was screaming profanities at us in the middle of the street. I will never go back there and I will tell everyone I know never to go there the food is not worth the wait and the rudeness is not acceptable. Pros: no pros Cons: extreemly poor customer service, wait is too long with no where to wait but the street, no room to move inside more

I used to live right down Broadway, so I've been here many, many times. They've recently renovated and moved next door to where they used to be. It makes for a much nicer dining experience, though the service is about the same (whether you see that as a positive or not). Soundbites is more about efficient, casual eating than being a full-service diner anyways. The food comes out fast, and because of the line, the staff looks to turn tables over quickly.\r \r The food is very good, with very good omelets and some quirky grill items (the grilled muffins are pretty good). If you want french toast, pancakes or waffles, get them topped with fresh fruit. You get some combination of melons, mango, strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, grapes and/or apples according to season. more

There is no other place I would wait nearly an hour for outside in the dead of winter. There's a reason why people line up and wait against the elements to eat here. Ole omelette with garlic mashers - I love you. Pros: Great omelettes, potatos, corn bread, etc. Cons: Wait to get in is long at times more

i love breakfast. always have. it's my favorite part of the weekend and nothing compares to soundbites. it's amazing. i go at least 3 times a month. it's amazing! food is fantastic (try the challa french toast!) and the coffee is to die for! recommendations: go early or late to avoid the hangover crowds. it's usually managable by 1-130p. go...NOW!! : ) more

This is the absolute best place to eat breakfast or lunch. Yasser is a great proprietor and he's worth the price of admission. The waffle is to die for and the 2+2+2 Breakfast is terrific. Don't be fooled by negative comments, his place is THE BEST. Pros: Atomosphere more

Simply the best, freshest breakfast near Davis Square. Omlettes, waffles, and some of the best coffee around. Those who complain of rude service and long waits simply do not understand the Soundbites Mystique of Efficiency. Get over it or get out of the line. Pros: Great food, great coffee, a fantastic neighborhood find Cons: Takes some getting used to the ambiance more

When I first moved to Somerville I couldn't stop hearing the buzz for this place. As a huge brunch fan, I checked it out the first chance I had.\r I was sorely disappointed. \r THinking it was a fluke, I've been back twice more. Sadly, it wasn't a fluke.\r No pity is taken on those in the huge line that traditionally wraps down the block on weekend mornings. At least toss up an awning. \r The space is tiny, so you'll be bumping elbows with staff and patrons alike. \r The food is okay. Its not bad, but its definitely not the best brunch I've had and not worth the wait or the crowded conditions. \r I must say that the service, when they're not rushing you out the door is actually very good. Pros: some interesting menu items Cons: rediculous wait, tiny dining area, serve yourself beverages more

SoundBites has great food, but get your expectations in order if you're going alone. The service may be a bit more rude than usual, and in my experience you shouldn't be surprised if you get slightly overcharged on a couple of items. Whether you're dining alone or not, be prepared to move on when you're finished because there is always a line, and the staff will hustle you. Occasionally someone will be thrown out for lingering too long (I have witnessed this happening to someone else). ""Breakfast Nazi"" as in a recent newspaper article is right. Pros: good food, inexpensive, student crowd Cons: wait to get in, rude service more

Ok, we all know that the lines are ridiculous on the weekends. And we alll know that they rush you out of there as fast as possible. But you can't deny the fact that this is the absolute best breakfast food you can get. My suggestion, grab a take out menu, call ahead and eat it at home, or in the car, or at the park. For breakfast this good, it doesn't matter where you eat. Pros: food, take out available, good coffee Cons: rude service, long lines more

Don't bother. The rudest service I have EVER experienced. Only go here if you have ample time (you wait in line for up to 30 minutes on weekends) and are happy to pay someone to be rude to you. Food is only above average. I'm voting with my feet on this one and will never go back to this place. Pros: cheap food Cons: , rushed, only average food more

THe best breakfast anywhere! The Challah Bread French Toast is amazing, the No Place Like Home Fries are a unique and wonderful blend of garlic mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, every one of the many variations on Eggs Bene are great, and the service is excellent! No waiting around for your food here! Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Many Choices Cons: , Small, Eat and "Get out!" more

great place to indulge. Amazing muffins, good eggs, great selection of food with each plate. friendly staff. Small place, can be a long wait on the weekends, but worth it! more

Get the fruit covered french toast!!!! But don't expect to spread out your paper and spend a ton of time talking. The food is great btu the place is small. Get there early and go in and get coffe as you wait in line. Trust me it is worth it. Don't bring kids it's not that type of place. Pros: good food, quick, casual Cons: cramped more

Been there twice - each time grill/crusted mashed potato's don't make it for home fries and their bacon was so thin, the three pieces actually made one normal. Soundbites sould be removed from top 10. more

Soundbites is the best!! Speedy, but if you want to sit and talk after the meal-don't bet on it. The owner gives you the check just as you're eating your last bite. Pros: best breakfast, speedy service more