Charlie's Kitchen   

With its makeshift sidewalk seating area and original retro signage, today's typical Harvard Square tourist doesn't really give Charlie's Kitchen a second thought, passing it by for the more popular Greenhouse or Bartley's Burger Cottage down the street. If they were to walk in, though, they'd find a local favorite with the atmosphere of a laidback greasy spoon and arguably some of the best burgers and fries in the area. Along with ample burgers and seafood, Charlie's offers "carb miser" fare: Atkins-ers can order succulent mussels or lobster with "fauxtato" salad. The diner area is downstairs, where large red booths, lots of neon and a lobster tank span the front wall; upstairs is a cozy windowless dive bar that allows its patrons to complete the escape from the bustle outside. And it may be a dive scene up there, but it's not uncivilized: Three plasma TVs grace the room so customers can keep up with sports, news and weather. Those hankering for a barstool should come before 9PM on weekends to beat the crowd.