The Wholy Grain
275 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA, 02118
The Wholy Grain Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
275 Shawmut Ave
Boston, MA, 02118 - Phone (857) 277-1531
- Website https://wholygrain.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Good for Working : No
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Kalun L.
I've been stopping by fairly regularly since these folks opened back in March. The staff are really friendly and pretty efficient at getting the line moving, but lunchtime can be a bear, especially if a bunch of people order the vegetarian rice bowl (tasty, but not worth a 20 minute wait). The coffee is good and the baked goods delicious. My favorite menu item in the morning is the stromboli filled with egg, ham, and onions. At $3.45 for a thin slice, it is a tad pricey, but oh so tasty. Their muffins are great and are supposed to be Jordan Marsh muffins. I say "supposed to be" because I understand that the Jordan Marsh baker bought the rights to the name when Jordan Marsh closed and he doesn't license the name. Oh, Wholy Grain has WiFi. Hurrah!
(4)Patrik W.
My first time at the Wholy Grain was a great experience in the sun with a healthy "The Wholy Bowl". I haven't tried the pastries yet, but I must say that they looked better than at good old Buttery down the street. I have one problem though, I didn't like the fact that they served the food in a take-away tray with plastic forks. This good food deserves better and I'm pretty sure that the patrons in this neighborhood are willing to pay the extra buck it might cost to use proper plates and hire a busboy.
(4)Steph X.
This is my new favorite coffee spot! After coming here on a daily basis to get my morning coffee fix, I finally gave into temptation and tried their baked goods. The Croissants are nice and flaky, their muffins/scones a little on the drier side, but WHOLY SMOKES the best thing they offer has got to be the LAYERS BAR. This thing takes all things sweet and delicious and rolls them into one. Imagine rich coconut-y, chocolate chip goodness with a graham cracker crust and burnt sugar top. Yum Their coffee is always brewed great, never burnt tasting, and the owner is always hovering around making sure everyone's happy. They're pretty friendly there and everything looks nice and cozy. If I could make any suggestions, I'd say change the door to one that has a handle instead of a doorknob and put a spring on it so it swings shut automatically. It makes for some awkwardness upon entering. Also, sometimes the scones and muffins can be a bit dry and heavy, so make sure they're super moist and fresh all the time. Same goes for the bread.
(4)Julia S.
Can't get enough of this place. For South Enders who aren't so hot on the craziness of the Buttery or Flour -- -this spot is just far enough off the beaten path to provide a relaxed atmosphere and unbelievable menu. Top recommendations: 1. Yogurt Parfait to-go -- plain or vanilla options, topped with granola, honey, raspberries and blueberries all for under $5. 2. Wholly Bowl -- Perfect for a cold day -- packed with veggies, black beans, guac, cheese, salsa, etc. Flavor explosion. Enough said. Additionally - the staff is uber friendly. If you come often enough so that they start to recognize you, you'll start to see a few complimentary coffees coming your way :)
(5)Stephanie S.
Their signature dish, the Wholy Bowl, really hit the spot for lunch! It was delicious, loaded with guac, beans, salsa, etc. It was like a fresh burrito but without the tortilla. I really want to return to get their almond blueberry scone, which looks fantastic. They have a courtyard in the back which is so relaxing to eat in. Would definitely return.
(4)Mcslimj B.
Charming South End storefront bakery/cafe with good pastries and casual fare. Some restaurants are haunted by ghosts; it can be hard to like a new place that took the spot of a bygone one you loved (sorry, Joe V's). The Wholy Grain, a South End bakery/café, has ghosts of a different kind: it used to be the "social club" where the notorious local mobster Philip "Sonny" Baiona conducted business for decades. The DEA and FBI put eventually put Sonny in MCI-Walpole for good, leading to the swift demise of his other concession down the block, the Waltham Tavern. I miss that bar, the South End's last truly seedy dive, but must concede that not all kinds of gentrification are bad. The Wholy Grain pours quality Illy "expresso" ($2), cappuccino and latte ($3), filter coffee ($1.60-$2), chai tea ($3), and Dammann Frères tea ($2). It bakes a bounteous array of sweet and savory pastries, adds croissants from the estimable Iggy's, and serves from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups, and rice bowls. There are 12 seats indoors, a cute eight-seat patio out front, and a pending 10-seat backyard deck. The baked goods are eye-catching and mostly high-quality: a recent sampling included a fine blueberry mini-tart ($4), an excellent pecan bar ($2), a terrific mini-quiche ($4) with diced ham and tomatoes, and a superb "Jordan Marsh" muffin ($3) with lemon/poppy filling. Sandwiches are piled high on excellent Iggy's baguette or ciabatta. The roast turkey ($8) includes house-roasted bird, brie, sliced cucumbers, quality bacon, greens, and cranberry chutney: substantial, gorgeous, delicious. Wraps ($7) include unexpected successes like wasabi tuna and corn salad with roasted peppers, cucumbers, and greens. Daily-changing soups ($4/cup, $5/bowl) -- like Portuguese kale, chouriço, kidney bean, and potato in a smoky broth, and a silky tomato/feta, rich and loaded with fresh basil -- are knockouts. The Wholy Grain Salad ($8) features the trio of new-potato salad with chickpeas, not-overdressed cabbage/carrot slaw, and simple green salad with pumpkin seeds and good French dressing, rather unattractively jammed into a plastic takeout container. The Wholy Bowl ($5/small, $7/large) is tasty, light yet filling: a foundation of brown rice layered with black and pinto beans, fresh sliced avocado, sour cream, fiery salsa, black olives, shredded cheddar, and fresh cilantro; adding hot roast chicken or turkey ($2) is a good idea. In all, the Wholy Grain's combination of freshness, charm, and quality should prove irresistible to the same well-heeled, too-busy-to-cook locals who now crowd Flour Bakery and South End Buttery. I imagine Sonny, who prowled the block when it was still lined with decrepit rooming houses, would be appalled.
(4)Calli C.
Jill had mentioned how awesome this place was, so when I was in the neighborhood I thought I'd stop in for lunch. It does look small from the outside, but what you don't realize is that there is a gorgeous patio in the back! I ordered up the wholy bowl, which was pretty good. I wish the salsa had a bit more flavor to it, but once all the ingredients were mixed together to make a big glob o' rice-beans-sour cream-salsa-cheese, it was tastier. Service was very friendly, and I could see myself hanging out on their patio for plenty of sunny days to come.
(3)S M.
Best blueberry muffin around. (The Jordan Marsh)
(4)Russ L.
Nice staff. Nice food. It's pricey like everything else in the South End. The sandwiches are big. The coffee tastes great. It's quiet on Shawmut Ave. So that can be cool sometimes. No one dresses up or gets a haircut before going there like they do in most parts of the South End. What's up with that?
(4)Danielle B.
I used to love the wholy grain with the amazing blueberry muffins and foamy lattes, but for some reason as of late the overall quality of service and product has become subpar. No foam in the lattes, the oatmeal was cold and not cooked when served, and this morning my "latte" was cold with no steamed milk. It just disappoints me the sad experience wholy grain now provides. I may have to switch to the buttery. Step it up wholy grain! Thank you
(2)Jon O.
Went to Wholy Grain for the 1st time today after hearing from a few other folks in the office about it. I took a short walk over there and decided to order the Wholy Bowl which (as the menu states) is a Healthy medley of Brown Rice, red and black beans, fresh avocado, salsa, black olives, sour cream, sharp Cheddar, cilantro and our signature tangy Sauce. All of those things are completely 100% true. Here' the kicker. It's $7 for that magical Wholy Bowl. And it's not exactly a bowl. I'd call it a Wholy Kinda a Bowl but not really quite as much as a Bowl. Look, I get it. It's the South End, but c'mon that total combined cost for the Wholy Bowl must be .75 - $1.00 for them. And while it was tasty I finished thinking that I was Wholy out $7 for some rice, shredded super market type cheese and a dollop of sour cream. All of this said I will go back and see what the sandwiches are like.
(3)MARIA G.
We were so full from earlier and had wandered around awhile. We just wanted a place to sit, drink coffee and eat our Chinese pastries. Hocho was $1.95. I liked it but it wasn't as sweet because they used steamed milk. They had a quaint back patio. Staff was friendly.
(3)Gabriele D.
This is the best bakery to hit our neighborhood, at least if you're a fan of things that actually taste great instead of being loaded with sugar and icing to numb your senses. They absolutely shine on croissants, pain au chocolat, muffins and just bread (choice of baguette and ciabatta, as far as I remember). This past weekend I tried their hazelnut-chocolate cupcake and it was better than most chocolate-based desserts you'll get at local restaurants (save for Orinoco's molten chocolate deity). Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be available on weekdays. On the negative side: their sandwich menu is quite limited with almost no vegetarian options (I'm not vegetarian, but I can't hurt to stay off meat from time to time). I also tried the quiche once but it was really salty and rough, basically an omelette slapped in a pie shell. These are, to me, minor problems compared to how delicious their other stuff is. If you: a) like baked goods with less than a ton of sugar per square inch b) tried "French" bread and croissants from "Au Bon Pain" and wanted to vomit c) are partial to chocolate-hazelnut combos ...then this place is for you. Fridge bonus: they sell Mexican Coca-Cola, the one in bottles and still made with actual cane sugar. These guys know how to live.
(5)Sara C.
Adorable place, tasty treats, and they have both soy AND almond milk!
(5)Caitlin M.
Stopped into the Wholy Grain in hopes of a good soup but the day's offerings didn't appeal to me so I went with the wholy bowl. I expected to receive a large bowl with tons of vegetables, beans, herbs and rice with great flavor and was surprised to find it so burrito like. It was good but sad in a paper container. I felt like it was under flavored, something I could whip at home- it was simply brown rice, cheddar cheese, beans, salsa and guac. The space inside is small but they have a great back patio. Service was quick and the staff was very friendly. Many of their muffins and desserts looked delicious and I have heard their soup is great. I will return to try these items in the future. Maybe a sandwich too!
(3)Andrea S.
Wonderful neighborhood spot! The service is very friendly, the space is cute and well maintained, and most importantly -- the lattes strong and food delicious. Factor the Wholy Grain into your morning routine or weekend stroll, and you won't regret it.
(5)Juan Carlos G.
Very shock with the girl at the register. After I spent nearly two hours playing tennis I was very tired I decided to stop in this coffee shop since it looks very cute. When I walk in I accidentally said "buenos Dias" instead of good morning. I apologize but realizing that the girl behind the counter/register decided to talk about my "buenos Dias" comment. I mean if she only would have waited till I was out of the store but instead she decided to talk "$&!£" right in front of me. My suggestion for management in this store, please educate your staff that talking about customer while they still in the store is rude!
(1)Wenni W.
Great cup of coffee! Food is healthy, prices are reasonable, and the staff are friendly. Can't wait for the back patio to open! PS. there are plenty fence hooks to park your pup!
(4)Thomas E.
Fresh baked goods, excellent variety. Terrific teas. Hard to ask for more.
(5)Shellie D.
The baked goods are great and are baked in batches throughout the day so you don't buy a muffin made 6 hours prior, very nice!
(4)Rich W.
Having left mostly satisfied last week after sampling the blue cheese chicken sandwich, which was perfectly fine on a tasty baguette, I returned today to try the Wholy Bowl. I was hit with sticker shock. After upgrading the order to include chicken, the register lit up: $9.58. This is essentially a tortilla-less burrito, or what Chipotle calls its burrito bowl, but more expensive and half the portion. The guacamole and salsa were fresh, and taste-wise, it hit all the right notes. But I felt a little robbed, especially considering the small morsels of chicken that were included. I do like this cafe, and look forward to when it opens its garden patio. However, it needs to broaden its menu and beef up its portions.
(3)Diana M.
So delicious! Coffee is fresh and brewed perfectly. Muffins and chocolate croissant are so good. Their wholy bowl is hearty and filling. You can tell they use very fresh ingredients.
(5)Robert F.
I was heading through boston and heard about this place, something about it having ties to a place in Ireland, blah, blah, blah... I was curious to see it since I know the area and wanted to see where it was in relation to Formaggio and South End Buttery -- very close to Formaggio, across the street and a few minutes down the street from So End Buttery. I found parking after a few times around, I didn't want to double park, because with my luck I would have gotten a ticket. As you approach the spot you see a small outside table area that you step down into as you head to the door. Once you enter, you step down again and there is a tight grouping of tables to your left and the counter is directly in front. There are whole loaves of bread and trays of pastries that wrap around to the register. The menu board provides you prices of drinks and available sandwiches. The day I was there there were not a lot of bread, simply a couple of choices, and there were 2 different scones, a cookie and one other option I cannot recall... They were busy, about 8 people at the tables and 4 people in line - this space is tiny - so there isn't much more room for more than that - another 4 or 5 people they would be out the door. I chose a blueberry scone and a cookie - not sure the name because there wasn't a label. Those items totalled under $5 - and I ate the scone on my way back to the car. It had a nice crunchy exterior and a good amount of blueberries, and the texture was similar to that of a muffin. I liked it but wouldn't send friends there for that - had better and had worse. The cookie I left in the bag until later - and I liked that they wrapped each item separately. When I needed a little sugar I dove in and broke off a piece - the edge was crispy and full of chocolate, a nut and possibly cinnamon or another spice. I pulled out the entire cookie and grabbed another piece from the edge and was happy to find yet more chips and flavor - but as I took a piece from the center it was kind soft to the point of being raw - fell apart and was sickly sweet and butter rich - sad. I see the effort and quality put into the concept, but I would like to know if they plan on using local ingredients, flour, veggies or fruit, and whether there is organic ingredients being incorporated. I don't drink coffee, but noticed that they have Illy cans kicking around. I will defenitely stop by again to see what else they may have to offer.
(3)Miranda B.
My blueberry muffin was still warm!! Wholy Grain, you kinda made my morning. Will definitely be back.
(4)Jenna L.
I went last Friday for lunch and today for coffee and breakfast. The Jordan Marsh muffin was so light and fluffy, which surprised me because I thought it looked dense. The kale soup and the wholy salad were both great. I can't wait to try more.
(4)Tiffany G.
pastries looked delicious, go to the backyard seating. the spicy turkey avocado sandwich was just okay, I would try something else.
(4)Linda H.
The place is small and cute. The sandwiches are a bit underwhelming and bland but the pastries are spot on. Despite the free wireless, this place is not conducive for getting some serious work done. The tables are not big/sturdy enough to handle my laptop and all my papers. Still, the space is cute for grabbing a coffee and catching up with a friend. And they have outdoor seating!
(3)Gavin G.
Pretty cute place. Free wifi. Good pastries. Their lattes could be much better though, better to stick with drip.
(4)Joe M.
I've only had their coffee and baked goods, but so far I love this place. They have excellent coffee (something lacking in the SE) and the baked goods are really great. I suggest trying the cranberry and milk chocolate muffin. The space is nice and seems to attract a friendlier crowd than the buttery and flour. 12.2.11 I had to downgrade this place because it has changed considerably. The muffins are still good, although not as great as my first visit. They lack the selection that they had originally. I cant knock them for that, the change is probably due to customer demand. I tried a scone but it was very dry. Also, when I order an espresso drink it's almost always made the wrong way. It's not complicated, an iced espresso. The guy who makes them in the morning seems to be in a rush and and starts to act before you finish your order.
(2)meaghan b.
It's hard to find lunch in the South End that isn't a greasy pizza or deep fried. I stumbled across the Wholy Grain one day when I was actually searching for another restaurant. Their sandwiches are so good. Fresh bread, fresh ingredients. I was skeptical about the Wholy Bowl (rice, beans, avocado, salsa, black olives, cheddar, cilantro, sour cream and some kind of sauce, plus your choice of chicken or turkey). It came in this little tiny bowl, which is misleading, because its the equivalent of two lunches. Even my co-workers who initially frowned because they considered this "healthy food" really liked it. I've never had breakfast there, but other customers have raved about the breakfast stromboli. And their cupcakes are to die for. My favorite place to have lunch.
(5)Akilah C.
The three stars have much more to do about convenience and sanitation, because I have to admit my sandwich was decent but definitely did not meet any of my expectations given the rave reviews. Anyhow I visited the Wholy Grain on a Sunday..... parkers beware because the Boston Police is heavily on patrol and you will have to make sure you secure a viable parking spot, otherwise if you leave your car unattended double parked you will be sure to be ticketed. Luckily I avoided this danger after I circled the block 8 times to find parking. Phew! I finally made it inside and I was pleasantly surprised by the array of pastries and the alluring smell of the coffee inspired beverages. I ordered my sandwiches and ready to buy a couple of muffins until I saw IT!!!!! YUCK...a fat disgusting nasty fly was buzzing about the quiches, muffin tops and croissants. Umm hello? Would it be possible to cover the pastries to keep the damn flies away? Anyhow the only reason why I even continued with my order is because my sandwich bread was carefully covered and all of the sandwich toppings were secured in a refrigerated casing...but damn I really hope there were no flies or maggots having happy fun time down there. In short...I think the Wholy Grain has potential...but if you do mind a fly with your pastry just stay away because the food isn't amazing..its really just ok.
(3)James S.
Cozy neighborhood cafe with really good coffee (Illy cafe); excellent scones and muffins, generous and very fresh sandwiches, friendly and efficient staff and reasonable pricing. Always clean and well stocked. Great neighborhood bakery and so glad there is another option to The Buttery, which is also good, but variety is a good thing.
(4)Michael T.
I'm glad to finally have a legit coffee place in the South End with wifi that isn't Starbucks. Pastries are delicious and the sandwiches are good. It's a great place to get a bite to eat and get some work done. I've been here twice this weekend and I'll be back for more. The outdoor seating is key....can't wait for the warmer weather!
(4)Shir L.
Iced coffee and maple bacon cupcake, what more could you ask for?
(4)Phil C.
"You have chosen wisely" ~ Grail Knight, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" Okay, I've already used a reference from that movie recently, sorry. Growing up, I didn't go to Jordan Marsh department store often, as my parents were more the Filene's (or its basement) type. Even if I did go often, my parents certainly would not have bought muffins there. So I never really knew what a "Jordan Marsh muffin" was. Anyway, I came here just to get a muffin and to see the decor. It's in a quiet part of the South End, so if I was living in the area, the bakery would be a nice spot for tea and baked goods while reading/writing. The decor is simple and warm with lots of wood. The blueberry muffin, while not mind-blowing, was still rather good. There were a lot of blueberries but not to the point where the inside became raw batter and paste. The tops were covered with sugar, which can make it too sweet for some. The firmness from the sugar crust was appealing. If I'm around and crave a muffin for some reason, I'll strongly consider The Wholy Grain.
(4)Steven R.
Really nice place to relax on a nice day. They have a great porch area outside in the back. Not a ton of seating inside, but enough to probably find a table if you only have 2-3 people. The hot chocolate was really good. They have a bunch of pastries that all look pretty good too. Had a chocolate croissant that was pretty solid. It wasn't really cheap, but there is definitely way more expensive places to eat in boston. If I were passing through again, Id probably come back.
(4)Kunal K.
I am guessing many people have praised the Jordan Marsh blueberry muffin. The only thing I have to add is that I wanna make sweet passionate love to the Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin. It's oh so delicious. I wanna hug it like a little kid hugs teddy bears. I wanna walk on top of a cloud made out of this muffin. I wanna kick the muffin into the air and bounce it off of my head like a soccer ball, then catch it in my mouth and eat it. The vibe of this place is cool too. I wanna hang out in the restaurant and read a book. Good coffee, good bakery, what more do you need?
(5)Nicole D.
This was a great little breakfast spot we met with a friend at during a recent visit to Boston. We LOVE the neighborhood - so quaint and quiet in the South End. We sat on the front patio with our dog, which was perfect. The food was good too!
(4)Erin M.
A very cute little bakery and cafe located in the South End area of Boston, Jon and I found this place after attending mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and we were waiting for our Uber ride back to our hotel. It was the perfect place to caffeinated and get away from the chilly weather common in Boston. It's in a super quaint area surrounded by brownstones and other little shops. We walked in and immediately noticed the warm and cozy aroma. It was hard to pick what to order but we decided for the chocolate/ cinnamon scone and the pumpkin muffin and a cafe latte to wash it all down. It was so delicious and we were content with our choices for a quick bite! We left happy and full. All the other pastries looked so appetizing so we definitely need to come back next time we are in town. Highly suggest coming here if you are in the area!
(5)Rachel N.
Love their back patio. Confused why it always smells like aggressive BO in the shop. Coffee is actually quite nice ($2-3), tasty sandos/wraps ($7-8), pretty banging baked goods ($2-4) - and what's even better is that your favorite paleo pal will be delighted that they offer goodies that our caveperson ancestors could have noshed upon. Much less of a scene than the Buttery or Flour - a solid standby to have in the hood - I'm always happy to end up here on a lazy Saturday.
(3)Jeff T.
Staff is awesome owner is friendly and coffee and food outstanding, but I draw the line when I'm charged 1.00 for almond milk in my chai iced tea. If I could overlook that I'd spend more time in the patio outback.
(3)Elliot S.
Perfect way to start your morning. The beautiful neighborhood of the South End backdrops this great coffee shop. The intimate patio is a great place to spend a summer morning.
(5)Ryan R.
Went here for a quick bite to eat for breakfast on a Sunday. The place was decently crowded but we were able to grab a seat out on the front patio. For my meal, I decided to go with the wholy bowl. This was served in a little tray and actually had a great combination of flavors. It was also a decent size for the price and was just what I needed to soak up the alcohol from the night before. Definitely a popular spot, worth checking out if you are in the South End.
(4)Elizabeth H.
This place is the hidden gem for pastries. Delish, fresh baked croissants, muffins, scones- puts flour bakery to shame!! I love this place! Great iced coffee too.
(5)Fiona K.
Really cute atmosphere with breakfast and lunch. cute little outdoor back patio. reasonably priced and healthy, good food.
(5)Harumi U.
What a cute coffee shop! I was looking for a place to have breakfast (nothing heavy - just coffee and pastry) in the South Boston area (if you don't force yourself to be in that neighborhood while you are visiting Boston, this neighborhood easily becomes an area where you end up not visiting) and found this coffee shop not so far away from the hotel where I was staying. When you get close, provided that the weather is on your side, the first thing that probably comes into your eyes is an outside patio with a few tables where you have a lot of little birds walking around and singing. What a nice greeting to get at 7am in the morning! (And by the way, the store has a water dish outside for dogs for those people who stop here while walking their dogs so the dogs can enjoy a bit of something as well. What a nice neighborhoody service) You walk in and you notice all these gorgeous looking pastries and you have plenty to choose from. And they are all such a good size (I am a type of person who can swallow 2 pastries for breakfast no problem) that one scone or muffin would be enough. If you are in the neighborhood, pay them a visit
(4)Carrianne C.
Passed through the south end and into this little cafe last weekend to grab an iced tea and some baked goods. There are TONS of pastries to choose from, and all of the ones I tried were delicious (especially the super cute maple bacon cupcake!). Prices were great, and the service was really really friendly. I loved that there was outdoor seating in the front and back, although I got my goodies to go. Something about this cafe was very... laid back and neighborhood-y, in the best way.
(4)Sara K.
Really nice place, but great if you live nearby. I am not from the area, and parking is tough. Other than that, I loved it.
(4)Eliza M.
I am reviewing this place based on the fact that they only offer ONE VEGETARIAN SANDWICH and it is very basic and lacks a protein element. It is 2015 and it is absurd to only offer one option for a vegetarian. I want to give Wholy Grain a lot of business, so I am hoping that this review will encourage them to expand their menu and open their services to a larger community in doing so. Thanks!
(1)Courtney H.
Great coffee, cheerful staff, perfect little neighbourhood shop for the morning ritual.
(5)Abby R.
I'm addicted now. Wholy Bowl fo' lyfe y'all! Definition of Wholy Bowl: the holy grail of complete proteins. The brown rice is surprisingly flavorful and blended well with black beans and avocado. Add some olives and some melted cheese on top and you have a warm, cheesy, comforting bowl that you won't feel terrible after eating, for about $7. Can't go wrong with this one, hoss. Also haven't had any problems with the staff since the first time, they've been really friendly. Note they have outdoor seating in the back and a few small tables out front. In the back is more spacious and more shady.
(5)William F.
Wasn't impressed by the coffee, but I had a cold so that might have had something to do with it. I really liked the sandwich I ordered. Fresh ingredients, good bread, and a decent size. Prices are more than fair for Boston.
(4)Jenn Z.
Cute little cafe tucked away in the South End with a very cozy, private backyard. Great place to grab a coffee and sit in the sun. Nice Illy coffee with a handful of pastries to choose from
(4)Sarah C.
Must get the blueberry turn over - so light, fresh, and tasty!
(4)Dave F.
It's all delicious here from the Wholy Bowl to the oatmeal, but my heart belongs to their Jordan Marsh blueberry muffin. First off it's big and generously stuffed with tons of tart blueberries. The coffee is perfection -- strong, smooth, and no aftertaste. The place is small, yet adorable. Beware the seductive smell of bacon wafting past you as you enter, luring you in.
(5)South E.
I prefer the Wholly Grain to the Buttery, less tourists, better price point, and the food is solid. The scones are really good a bit on the airy side and the coffee is smooth, not bitter. The staff is always great, very friendly and professional.
(4)Holly N.
Coffee is good. Even though it is on the menu with no notice of a time frame you can not order breakfast sandwiches after 12pm on Sundays...While I was in line I watched 8 people get told no and walk out. Maybe they should cover that part of the menu after 12...We were dissapointed.
(2)Christopher T.
A nice & comfortable setting in the heart of the south end. Walking in felt on a cold, winter day "felt right" so I had high expectations from that point on. For the most part I wasn't disappointed. The seating selection inside and menu options are very limited but that means they focus on a few good things. I god the Wasabi Tuna Salad which was nice n simple along with tea and for dessert, a mini maple-bacon cupcake. The cupcake was the real downer here as the frosting wasn't hard but not soft either. The consistency of the cake was brittle but had some taste. I'm trying to decide if this is how they normally are or if this is due to the cold weather.
(4)J J.
I was craving some good fruity scones and as much as I love Flour, I don't like their scones and had to look for another place. Did some research and saw wholy grain sold some and came by on a navigation. I have been living in south end for a while now but never knew wholy grains location and actually passed it in the car. Bought blueberry and raspberry scones, chocolate croissant and a raspberry turnover. They were all fresh and very delicious. I would say my fav was the rasp turnover. All reasonably priced. I will be back!!
(4)Jimmy H.
A Great spot in the Southend friendly staff also love the back Patio in the warmer months..
(5)Justin S.
Pretty nice place to grab an iced tea and hang out with a friend. I really enjoyed the iced green tea. The sandwiches were great, though the baguettes was a bit hard to chew. I'd recommend coming here on a nice day and eating on the outside tables. The service was friendly and quick. The food also seemed to be freshly prepared. Not a standout as my favorite restaurant all time, but I definitely be back! Get at it!
(4)Paul R.
Perfect neighborhood coffee shop. Friendly staff and speedy service. We probably go here 5 times a week and it never disappoints! Great coffee, muffins, best oatmeal in the city and the wholly bowl is a great lunch. Back patio that is nice to sit at when it's hot out. Skip the Buttery and head here.
(5)James R.
I came here for a coffee/lunch date in mid August. We arrived around 2 and I ordered an iced coffee and the pesto chicken sandwich on a baguette. The coffee was good as was the sandwich. What I really appreciated was the back deck. It was shaded and lined by small trees. I thought it was a nice surprise and I definitely plan to return and explore the menu further. I'm still figuring out how this stacks up against South End Buttery, Render and other similar places in the neighborhood.
(4)Maureen D.
I can't believe this place was open during a blizzard, but they were there and ready! I had the Classic Ploughman's sandwich, which was terrific. I enjoyed the variety of textures and veggies, with a hearty 4 slices of sharp cheddar. And Branston pickles- try them! I will certainly return and try many more items from the menu.
(4)Judy K.
Pleasant place to grab coffee, snack, or a simple meal. They have a lovely garden out back. The selection of freshly backed sweet treats is generous for this type of place. But, it would be nice if they offered a few healthier baked options. The prices are good for the area and cheaper than the Buttery just up the block. Last time I checked the yogurt parfait was 2 bucks less here than the snobby buttery.
(4)Ari B.
The Wholy Grain is the exact kind of eatery that I love to go to. Where the ingredients are fresh, the staff is down to earth, and the ambience is relaxed. There are an assortment of fresh baked pastries, cookies, and sandwiches here. The outside seating is nice on a warm day, as well as the few small tables on the inside. It is quite quaint and inviting. I thoroughly enjoyed my sandwich of roasted turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce, among other ingredients that currently escape me. Definitely worth a visit to anyone looking for a quick, delicious snack, breakfast, lunch, etc.
(4)Arianna B.
Love this spot! Great coffee and awesome outdoor seating in both the front and the back. Perfect place to grab a coffee and a sandwich.
(5)Tamara W.
this is the best cafe in all of boston. best customer service, friendly staff, CLEAN, and internet too! way better than its competitors in the area because they actually let you stay and do work. food isn't a-mazing but it's good enough to make me come back for their lattes and to do homework! adorable patio for summers and spring, too, and easy area to put dogs out when you are ordering Tamara
(5)Scott Z.
This is my neighborhood (local) coffee joint, only a couple of blocks from my apartment. That said, I've been there more times than I can count, and overall its a great place to recharge, and grab a coffee or snack. As nearly everyone points out, the wholy bowl is in fact amazing, as are the ham and swiss croissants, blueberry muffins, breakfast stromboli, and probably anything on the pastry rack. I had to take away a star unfortunately for attention to detail, or lack thereof...some bad lattes from newer/less-experienced baristas, always out of bagels, the egg in their breakfast sandwiches looks like a microwaved blob of yellow jello, stuff like that. ...but all said, you'll still see me in there 3 days a week drinking my iced red-eye. ps, their little patio out back is amazing in the spring/summer. i thought about not mentioning it, i want it all to myself.
(4)Tyler M.
Hit and miss. Some of the baristas know what they're doing, others are clueless. But they have a good attitude and will listen if you try to give them a custom order. The wholy bowl is great, as are the croissants. The breakfast sandwich is literally bread, microwaved rubbery eggs and slabs of ham, all falling apart. The oatmeal was a tiny cup of instant-like crap served with too much milk and sugar (they don't even ask how you like it). At least they keep smiling and have good manners. :)
(3)Pete R.
I was on Shawmut with the intention of heading to Flour to get some pastry to enjoy with my wife. On my way there I spotted Wholy Grain - cute sort of hole in the wall, lovely cafe seating outside, and the name "Wholy Grain" drew me in, expecting it to be a bakery. I like to try new stuff, and thought I might find something good at a bakery I'd never heard of. Wrong. It appeared at first glance that the pastries were not baked in house, but rather had that cheap Star Market bakery case look to them. I tried to find something worthwhile on the counter, and as I was about to leave, the guy behind the counter asked what he could get for me. Damn! I couldn't just leave at that point and say "nothing, everything looks like crap" now could I? My spinelessness got the best of me and I bought two chocolate croissants, as they looked the least bad. The croissants were old and dry, and the chocolate was crumbly. I should have stuck with my gut and gone to Flour or even the Buttery. Stupid me. I'll never go here for pastry again, and I highly recommend that you don't either. As another reviewer (Don D.) so astutely put it, "They should rename themselves 'The Place,'" as their pastry is completely generic and the name Wholy Grain is wholly deceptive.
(1)Greg U.
My favorite South End spot! Much more quiet than the Buttery, and better in my opinion. The sticky buns are top notch, slightly smaller and less decadent than those at Flour, but thats totally fine because those are way over the top. Price point is right on as well. You can find me here almost daily reading
(5)Amy K.
I had high hopes... we arrived for a late lunch on a Friday afternoon. We ordered the Wholy Bowl, and a Tuna Salad (which I don't see on their menu online). The Wholy Bowl was pretty much as describe on the menu, but the salsa portion was really wet - seemed like they just scooped it in with a spoon. The Tuna Salad (with creamy balsamic vinaigrette) was pretty generic, greens on the bottom, roasted red peppers in one corner, sliced pepperoncini in another... don't remember if there were others, but the thing that really sticks in my mind is the MASSIVE mound of dense tuna fish salad across the middle of the plastic container it was presented in. The pastries in the display were probably a better choice... next time.
(2)Paloma M.
I ended up there today because all other places were crowded and I was starving. You have to make a reservation if you plan on having brunch in the South End. I didn't know that. That being said my only option was The Wholy Grain. It was almost empty (bad sign) but I desperately needed a coffee. They have special sandwiches for breakfast but it ends at 11:00, so I had to order a honey ham sandwich, which was awful. The cheddar cheese tasted terrible, there was a LOT of mayo and the ham was so thick that I could hardly chew on it. I really hated it. My husband had a chicken sandwich which was also terrible. After that we had a cheesecake that tasted incredibly bad!!! That thing was old! Gross. The only good thing was the black coffee. Oh, the staff was friendly, though.
(2)Traveling W.
Cute little place with pastries, sammies and wraps, and drinks. I got a chicken avocado w/ bacon wrap and didn't like it, as it fell apart as I tried to figure out how to get it into my stomach. I'd probably just get a pastry and tea next time I'm in town.
(3)AB H.
We had the chicken bacon avocado wrap, which was okay. I'm glad it had plenty of mayonnaise on it because the chicken was definitely dry. The wrap was right out of a package; I would've liked something that tasted fresher. We also had the maple bacon cupcake which was pretty awesome; it tasted like pancakes. The woman at the counter was trying to be friendly but she was actually pretty annoying, or maybe I just thought that because she informed me I had just missed the cut off for breakfast sandwiches. I looked back to the blackboard and saw in pink chalk that was mostly rubbed off something about hours for breakfast. Boo. They have cute outdoor seating both in the back and the front. Wheelchair info: One small step to the front patio, then another small step into the store. Accessible bathroom inside!
(3)Damien S.
Today's consult with resident South End expert Kara G directed me to The Wholy Grain. "Cute name," I said. "It's new," she said. Hiding away like a corner unit, the space is a micro eatery with three wrought iron tables out front to let you know they're retail. Well, the tables and the unbelievable smell of fresh baked goods. And instantly, I envied their upstairs neighbors. Did not, however, envy the inevitable 15lb they're going to put on. And so goes the delicate balance of love and hate. Counter service is top notch, and everyone belted out genuine smiles. In a little quirk of bakery timing, I bore witness to the withdrawing of two something loaves from their ovenly maker. I felt like strapping on an apron, donning a pair of mitts and getting my golden brown on. And that smell. God, that smell. Lunch was a spicy chicken breast sandwich ($8), topped with spring greens, shredded cucumber, avocado, T, bacon, blue cheese and a barely perceptible buffalo sauce. While a little busy under the bread, nothing overpowered and the kids played nicely (although, a little more heat from the sauce would be nice). The large house-brewed green tea ran $2.45. Three things: 1) It's tea, and by the bitterness, I'm thinking it's brewed from a bag. Drop the price. 2) It was very bitter. Either over-steeped or the temp was too high. 3) Ask for easy ice, lest your cup overfloweth with glacial chunks. Seriously sweet space with tempting pastries, righteous sandwichosity and beaming service. An easy daily stop for neighbors, and with a few tweaks, a destination for those far away.
(4)John M.
Best coffee shop in the South End, and even in Boston. Great coffee, never a long wait, great pastries and sandwiches, and of course, amazing staff. They have outdoor seating out front, and also in a beautiful little garden in the back. Go check it out!
(5)Bao H.
Wholy Wow! I was taking a stroll and along the way I bumped into this place. I'm not accustomed to restaurants located under condos so this was different for me. I'm from what they call the "West Coast", where restaurants are generally in strip malls or stand-alone. I was glad to stop by cause this walking thing in the humidity is redonkulous! Thank goodness the place was A/C'ed cause I wasn't going to order unless it was. I was super thirsty and super hungry so I ordered me 2 waters and a Spicy CK and Bleu Cheese Sandwich. Man, that water was good! The sandwich; excellent! I love the bacon and avocado combination along with the Bleu Cheese! It was aromatic and had that strong bleu cheese kick! YUMMY! The place itself can improve I think. It's a very small, but there is patio seating, which I didn't even bother to try .... sweating and eating sucks! - Enjoy!
(4)Deanna D.
The Wholy Grain just opened today....about 3hrs ago according to the nice man at the counter and it's already my new sweet stop in the South End. The space is cute, small, well simply decorated, and inviting. They offer a great selection of baked goods, coffee drinks, and sandwiches. We had a chocolate croissant, 2 cookies, capp and coffee. The verdict: delicious! The staff was friendly, the service was fast, and the prices are totally reasonably. Finally, an alternative and some competition to The South End Buttery!! I will be back for more!
(4)John R.
While in town the other day, I whizzed by The Wholy Grain (yep going to Flour) and then screeched on the breaks. It's very easy to miss because I think you step down a couple of steps to go inside. I'm always scouting out places to give "the other place" a run for their money. The attitude over there can sometimes just be too much and they don't change things up much either. I think Wholy Grain is doing a good job of giving them competition in a different sort of way. My impression is Wholy Grain's product is a finer quality. Somethng the other place had years ago. I ordered the Wasabi Tuna (canned chunk white w/wasabi mayo) & the Ploughman's Sandwiches to go (I was heading to a friends house). Both sandwiches were excellent, I'd most certainly have either of them again (shared w/friend). I order a few pastries; An apricot tart, a plum tart, almond croissant and sticky bun. All were very good The Almond Croissant Was Exceptional, the best I've had other than in nyc/paris. The sticky bun is the type made with croissant dough, which is always as enjoyable to me as the "bread version" of sticky buns. The pastries were all excellent quality and I could tell the baker has studied French pastries, which is probably why they also have a large selection of fresh bread. I'd go back again in a minute and I enjoyed the side street location and the small "patisserie" type feeling of Wholy Grain. Noted was a bit of that edgy South End attitude by two of the young women behind the counter. Thank God it wasn't a gay guy (for a change) throwing attitude as I take special pride in throwing gay shade right back. I lived in NYC 20 yrs, Boston shade is amateur hour! Alas, the attitude was in reality by a very nice looking young woman and I thought, What eve's ... you go girl .... 'cause you're only young once and beauty fades, Welcome to my world ... Check out Wholy Grain I hope you like it as much as I did try to over look the attitude. Oh I forgot .. the prices on the pastries were high, the sandwiches reasonable.
(4)K M.
I've been had. Duped, bamboozled, all that crap. The name "Wholy Grain" makes you think it might be healthy, right? I even did some research and saw the picture of the Wholy Bowl in their website and was like, "yeaaaaaah, i want that." Brown rice, beans, sauce, fresh sliced avocado, a sprinkling of cheese on top... HELL yeah i want that. And the price tag of $7 for a small bowl seems like health food prices to me. Uh, so what you get here is a plastic fast food tray with some brown rice with canned olives, canned beans, what's probably taco sauce, processed guacamole, and a layer of greasy, sweating cheese on top. It's kind of like I took a Taco Bell burrito and dumped out the contents, but worse. So in short, if you like Taco Bell but think it's not expensive enough, get a Wholy Bowl!
(1)Miriam A.
Love this spot!! The Wholy Grain is a fairly new addition to the South End. Its only a block from The South End Buttery...so if its too crowded at the Buttery which it typically is, exit stage right and you will see The Wholy Grain. This spot has amazing coffee!! Its probably the best coffee I've tasted in the South End. The desserts and pastries...AMAZING!! So so good!! They change up their selection now and then so you might find an interesting new dessert to pair with your coffee and make it even better. The breakfast and lunch sandwiches are just blah...one thing that is pretty healthy here though and admittedly pretty good is the The Wholy Bowl (brown rice, chicken, chili, salsa)... a very healthy alternative for lunch and you could probably save some for dinner too. The Wholy Grain is a little tight inside but if you walk out the back there is a two-floor patio where you can enjoy your food. Perfect for spring and summer time. Last but not least, everything is reasonably priced here!!
(4)Josh L.
I've tried several breakfast sandwiches at Wholy Grain. As much as I want to like this place I just come away disappointed every time I eat there. They use egg substitute (eggs in a carton) to make the sandwiches. I get the impression none of the food is fresh or high quality. It is what it is. If you're not looking for food they have good coffee and a nice outdoor area to sit.
(2)Kelsey C.
You've had a long day and don't feel like cooking. You crave a lighter, healthy-tasting meal. You're too lazy to leave the comfort of your South End neighborhood. If this is you, head over to Wholy Grain! I don't want to know how much mayo was in the Wasabi Tuna, but the kick of wasabi is great. The turkey, cranberry and brie sandwich is another excellent choice - a delectable triumvirate. Initially, I thought that the sandwich ingredients were just too simple to warrant $8, but on the other hand, my money bought the intangible quality of freshness - it's rare that tuna doesn't taste like cat food. My ciabatta and baguette choices for bread could have been better, but both were fresh, and I will simply opt for the less crusty ones next time. The question is, will there be a next time? Do I plan to write an update on Wholy Grain? Well, let's see; It was our server's first time making sandwiches, and they're already that good! Plus I need to try the other types of bread. AND I was too full to choose one of many decadent-looking desserts from behind the glass. So yeah, I think I'll be back. Come with me, I'll share my dessert and maybe I'll even try the wholy bowl...
(4)Rachel N.
I grab my morning coffee here nearly every weekend. They serve Illy coffee, which I love, and their pastries are always pretty and tasty. Their sandwiches are standard but good and sufficient; their salads are a bit basic. It's a very cute cafe, tight quarters but cozy.
(3)Todd W.
I love this friendly little place just a block or two from work in the S. End. The sandwiches are fantastic, and the cupcakes always a treat. They have saved me a couple of times when I needed to provide lunch at work last minute. Just a couple of hours notice and they had sandwich platters ready to go - no hassle. You don't have to order from Panera folks. Really - you don't.
(5)Taryn C.
I LOVE this place. After living down the street from here and visiting far too often (multiple times a week...), we've now moved away and still return nearly every weekend. They have the BEST blueberry muffin in the entire universe (not an exaggeration), friendly staff, delicious lattes, and really reasonable prices. Oh - and the breakfast stromboli! Also amazing, and a breakfast must if you're a meat and eggs lover. They sell a variety of muffins, scones, croissants, sweets and breakfast sandwiches, plus really great regular sandwiches and wraps (the Chicken Bacon Avocado wrap is a favorite). My only small complaint is that their muffins must all use the same base, because there isn't a lot of variety (even when the flavors change, they still have a similar flavor/texture). However, last time I was in to visit I mentioned to the owner (a very pleasant, friendly man) that I love morning glory muffins, and he said they're considering adding something like that to the menu! All around awesome place - can't say enough good things.
(5)Elizabeth D.
I think I love their concept more than their actual food. It brought back to the neighborhood the "homey" feel that left the Buttery when it expanded. Pros: coffee that is well brewed, croissants that are buttery and flaky, yogurt parfait with crunchy granola and fresh fruits, friendly staff, clean bathroom, the nice disposable utensils just like at the Buttery, and probably others I haven't yet discovered in my three trips. I have nibbled on an assortment of baked goods that I don't particularly care for. I found the lemon cupcake to be dry and dense though the frosting was quite delicious. The Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins did not live up to the hype. If it is really the same recipe, they apparently have to buy it frozen from one of the original bakers and maybe that's why is did not impress. The banana walnut chocolate muffin had good flavor but the texture within was odd... Chewy? Bready? I wasn't sure but still did not care for it. My mom was definitely not a fan of the blueberry almond scone. It wasn't all the way cooked in the middle and did not have enough blueberry flavor. While that last paragraph was undoubtedly negative, I do realize they are a new place and being a huge fan local coffee shops and eateries, I do hope they improve and stick around.
(3)Mike G.
they promised pumpkin pie way before turkey day. well, them mini-pies just made my day.
(4)Courtney H.
I'm so psyched that this is now at the end of my street! I stopped in today to check out the place. It's tiny, but very cute. Hopefully when it gets warmer, they will add a couple more tables outside because the one that they have now just looks a little lonely. I grabbed some coffee, which was quite tasty but I hate it when places don't have Splenda. I also tasted an apple cider cookie which was really good. And I snagged the last pecan bar. It was like a tiny taste of pecan pie which I love! I'll be checking this place out more in the future to try out some of their other offerings!
(4)Jacob M.
Super friendly. Great coffee. Great sandwiches. What more could you want from a neighborhood cafe? Also, their "Wholy Bowl" is amazing. Try it.
(5)Don D.
I live in the South End and frequent the buttery. I have walked by The Wholly Grain for months and months and never stopped in. Today I did. Here is what I found. This review will save the business. 1. They do not have and whole grain bread. I'm sorry, what? That's right - it's a bakery. It is called the WHOLLY GRAIN. AND THE DO NOT HAVE ANY WHOLE GRAINS. OMFGWTF. 2. There is a great looking kitchen at this place and oddly my meal was made with a toaster and a microwave. I'm sorry, what? Huge mistake on the owners part. Yes, we all know that some things need to start ahead of time -- it's called prep -- get the bacon par cooked so it can be either chewy or crispy. We get that. But you really can't be bothered to make me a fresh egg on the grill? Or heat my bacon up on the grill? Also from a construction stand point no one asked you to smear whatever you think you're buying that is 100% NOT butter on my bread either. Let's be clear -- your competition is The Buttery -- they get $7.95 all day long for what I ordered. A breakfast sandwich ($5.95, add $2 for egg whites and 7 grain bread!); so this is the South End and this is NOT about cost. In conclusion the owner(s) have two options. The first option is to change the name to "The Place"; so that when people walk in and find 'the place' is basically mid-level deli complete with Doritos and microwave chefs they are not confused by the product. Easy fix. Boom. The later, more preferable option would be to understand the customers, the neighborhood, and COOK REAL FOOD FOR THEM. If you have not noticed people want whole foods, real stuff that is visible and understandable. Where is your bread from? Iggy's? When Pigs Fly? Tell people, trust me they want to know. I hope this helps, Don
(1)Laura A.
This is my favorite go-to coffee shop in the South End. There are a number of great little bakery/coffee shops nearby, but this one is my personal favorite because of the pleasant ambiance (great outdoor seating in front or back), the excellently prepared coffee, and the best molasses blueberry muffins EVER. Wholy wow! Wholy good!
(5)Charles J.
Croissants that remind me of France! Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins the size of a softball and tasty too! My favorite stop for breakfast and lunch! Love being able to get fresh ground Illy espresso outside my house! Staff is courteous and provide a warm welcome to the establishment. Birthday? Don't forget to grab a cupcake!!
(5)Joy Y.
I am enjoying a tasty blueberry muffin and americano as we speak. The muffin is fluffy with a nice crusty top which I love, and there are lots of blueberries, (although not very evenly dispersed.) I'm coming off a cold, so I imagine that when I have all my taste buds back, it will be even better. Staff was very friendly and the space is super cute, if small. Either way, it will be a nice alternative to the South End Buttery, which is always packed. Looking forward to coming back soon and trying the Lemon Raspberry Cake as well-- that looked amazing!!
(4)Amir K.
Nice little spot with sandwiches, coffee and pastries.
(3)Yalgin O.
It's a neighborhood gem for me. I live right down the corner and their garden at the back is the perfect hide out to go and read some magazine, books, get some work done while being accompanied by delicious pastries and coffee.
(4)Kelly O.
I'm gonna give 2 stars only cus the service sucks and I'm a stickler for service. Having worked in a service job (both retail and food service) for upward of 5 years now, I understand a lot of the nuances of the industry. That being said... It's not a hard job. And the baristas/cashiers here suck at it. They literally stand around talking to other baristas/coworkers WHILE ringing me up, they don't even tell me my total (but that's negligible cus I can read), and they don't thank their customers! Ever! Cafes already have bad reps for being "too hipster" so adding to that stereotype is gonna keep driving your potential customers away. Wholy Grain isn't hipster per se but they're just as hoity-toity, is what I'm trying to get at. Also, their coffee is mediocre, at best. Also, you WILL get heckled by homeless men or construction workers in the area if you sit outside and if you're a girl. It happens. I would've given them 1 star cus I literally hate the staff here (except the older guy, may be the mgr or owner? Don't come here enough to know) BUT they have, hands down, the best almond croissants I have ever come across. And I'm somewhat of an epicure so coming from me, that's sayin a lot. They don't skimp on the almond cream filling like most places do. So I'd like to sum up my spiel: Wholy Grain has so much potential but their staff just isn't doing it for me. The only reason I'd ever come back is for the almond croissant. Then I'm bouncing.
(2)J C.
Very cozy and popular spot! Good food, coffee and sweet little patio seating in back, with surprisingly luscious green surroundings (at least in the summer, with little bird friends eyeing our 'everything' bagels ;) Bonus iSpy: you can see the top of the Hancock through the trees out back.
(4)Andrea M.
Wholy Grain is the perfect little neighborhood coffee spot if you don't want to wait in the crowds at the Buttery. Atmosphere: Admittedly, I think they still need to work out the concept a little more. The outside seems like it will be a quaint little bakery, and then inside, they also sell Doritos and blare Shania Twain. That being said, there is something really charming about this place. The outdoor seeing in the back is peaceful and never crowded, the pastries are wonderful, and the coffee is good. Service: In my opinion, the women on staff are a little faster and listen better than the guys on staff. The only reason I say this is because usually when I ask the guy for a small soy latte with a little vanilla, I rarely get what I ordered, and the girls get it every time. Food: The savory foods (Wholy Bowl, egg and cheese sandwich) were both pretty bad. But again, the bakery/pastries are delicious, and the coffee is great.
(3)Leslie T.
Updating my review and adding a fifth star because I have now tried this place a couple of times for lunch...and WOW. Delicious sandwiches, fresh bread, wonderful service! Another added bonus: It's too small to accommodate the stroller brigades that have taken over the South End Buttery and made it pretty much intolerable for anyone who just wants to sit and have a quiet cup of coffee. I am happy to see that others have also begun discovering this wonderful little gem - even though it means I have to wait a bit longer for my sandwich, it also means The Wholy Grain will be around for a good long time. Yay!
(5)Ryan M.
Great coffee, quaint atmosphere, relax in the courtyard in the back!
(4)Paul T.
It really is unfortunate, because this place is a short walk from my office and COULD be the perfect spot to go grab a quick breakfast sandwich or a small bite to eat during lunch. I've currently been twice, and both times I've been let down severely. For starters, the service. Why do you guys have such awful service? With such a friendly, and cute staff from your first impression walking in, you'd assume it would be better. My first time grabbing a sandwich from there, I went with the egg, bacon, and cheese. After waiting around 15-20 minutes for a sandwich, i was eagerly excited to get back and eat it, after such a long anticipated wait. I get back to eat it, and BOOM, they gave me HAM instead of bacon. Well what the hell? I wait so long, to get the wrong sandwich? Whatever, I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt this time, and eat this with no complaints. The 2nd (and last time) I went, I was going in with hopes they could be better than the first time I went. I show up, am greeted immediately at the door and ask for a HAM and egg sandwich. Why did I choose Ham? Well, when they gave me Ham instead of Bacon last time, it was actually really good! Again, another 20 minute wait for a toasted bagel with melted cheese, bacon, and egg put between, but whatever, right? I show up to my office, excited to eat this.. and not only did they mess up with the Ham, but they didn't even give me bacon by mistake. Folks, I paid 6.75 for an EGG and CHEESE bagel, and wasted 20 minutes of my day. If you don't have a lot of time to kill, don't like mystery orders after paying substantially higher than usual, then this place isn't for you. Wholy Grain, you guys need to pay attention. If you're going to charge me over 6 dollars for a BREAKFAST sandwich, get it right!
(1)Amanda B.
I've been to Wholy Grain a few times now, all for lunch. Twice I've ordered the Spicy Chicken and Blue Cheese sandwich. The first time, it was great. The second time, not sure I tasted any blue cheese at all. Both times, it was not all that spicy. Come on, it's in the name! You've got chipotle mayo! Give me a little kick! But not so much. Really not spicy at all, so order it in case you've been holding back because of that. I had the Wholy Bowl one day and it was the same thing- no spice! Not a lot of flavor, either. Kinda bland. It's supposed to come with the "signature spicy sauce," but I didn't taste anything that would qualify as spicy. It was filling, which was nice, but also kinda hard to eat when you get it to go- it's all packed into a soup cup! They brew Barry's tea for their iced brew which is nice. I love having a quality tea option for my iced tea!! The cafe itself is charming- a few tables and a patio out front (complete with water bowls for dogs- its the South End Way). The staff is super nice and prices are ok. A dollar less for things would be nice, but I can tell they're working with good ingredients. I think I need to try the Wholy Grain for breakfast sometime. I'll come back for lunch because it's close to work, but I'll have to try more on the menu.
(3)Elena A.
I keep coming here because it's convenient, but I wouldn't say I love it. The coffee is great and they have a nice selection of black teas, which I really enjoy. I haven't tried their meals yet, but some of the pastries are great. Their slices (anything with pear!) are delicious, sweet and juicy. Their cookies are dry and overpriced. Their muffins are sort of bland. Everything is expensive. The staff is pleasant enough, although a little snooty at times. Free wifi and restroom are a plus. My biggest gripe with the place is that the signs on the food often don't match up with what you're getting. I don't expect to have to ask for particulars on every pastry on their shelves. But once I've left the premises and discover the blueberry muffin is blueberry and banana (yuck!) or the chocolate chip cookie has peanut butter in it, I am not a happy camper.
(3)Cyrus W.
Inexpensive Iced-Cinnamon Mocha's, entertaining baristas and 18Mb of sweet, sweet wifi! Place is tiny though. But I'm automatically a fan of anyplace that uses a kettlebell for a doorstop. I'll be back here.
(5)sasha h.
I have a love affair with chai lattes and this place has an incredible chai. You can really taste the complex flavors and it isn't too sweet or overpowering. I wish I had more to say about this place but outside of the chai and a peanut butter pie (which wasn't very good), i haven't tried anything else. That being said, i would go for the chai alone
(4)Yolanda Y.
Just minutes before finding this place I approached another bakery ready to eat something tasty only to realize it was a dog bakery. They bake goods for dogs. Not humans. Thankfully this is a human bakery! And a good one! I had a tasty latte here and a raspberry scone. It was a great midday snack and the interior is cozy. Friendly folks working quickly and efficiently. Very pleasant atmosphere! I wanna come back to try their sandwiches!
(5)Julie N.
I recently saw a picture of the Wholy Grain's "Spicy Chicken Sandwich" somewhere along the web and on Saturday I needed to get one in my mouth. I sent my loving husband over there with instructions "Spicy Chicken, light on the buffalo sauce and uhm... anything else that looks yummy". The description of the sandwich on their website is "Spicy Chicken & blue cheese - Chicken breast, spring greens, cucumber, tomato, bacon, blue cheese and buffalo sauce". What arrived wasn't that, but an even better version of what I was imagining. A big fresh baguette with chicken, the spring greens, the tomato, the bacon, a teeny bit of blue cheese, a little buffalo sauce (not spicy at all), and then the AVOCADO SPREAD. I don't know if the person making the sandwich messed up, but seriously, don't ever make this sandwich without the avocado spread again. I repeat: No to cucumbers, yes to avocado spread. It was a big, hearty, filling, somewhat healthy sandwich and I was extremely happy to devour the whole thing. For dessert we alternated between the fresh croissant and the pain au chocolat and we knew we had found our bakery. They were both absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try the rest of the sandwiches and temptations they have in here because I have a good feeling they won't disappoint.
(5)