I have very little of an idea as to why people think this place is so good. I have never been so disappointed. I have been hearing raves about this place for months, and finally tried it today. Mr. Bartley's is the most overrated burger place in the USA. The hostess is rude and only interested in seating you where she wants, not where you want. The waitress got my drink order wrong. The frappes, which supposedly are ""famously"" good, were terrible. Very thin and fake-sweet tasting (I had a chocolate one). The burgers are OK, but nothing spectacular. Super greasy and very expensive for what you get. The bun is good, the veggies are fresh (although the tomato was hard and tasteless) and the meat is OK, although cheap. They pile the stuff on too high so you can't even get your mouth around it. I hate that. Certainly better than a fast-food burger, but I have had much much better at places like In-n-Out on the West Coast. Even the 5 Guys chain in DC is better than Mr. Bartley's. They have no restroom, they only take cash, and it's dirty. They are obviously counting on word of mouth, Harvard square tourists, non-discriminating college kids and magazine hype b/c the place is substandard by any definition of a great hamburger stand. Also, if you are interested in smelling like grease, by all means go to Mr. Bartley's. The place is so small, crowded and non-ventilated that sitting in there for 15 minutes is the equivalent of being dipped in hamburger grease. I can't wait to take a shower. Wow, what a disappointment. I guess Boston/Cambridge people have never had a truly good burger at a clean place with good service. Pity.
Pros: sweet potato fries
Cons: everything else
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