In 1960, Joe and Joan Bartley took over a small convenience store called the Harvard Spa, directly across from Harvard Yard, and started perfecting the hamburger. Six decades and three generations later, Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage is still in Harvard Square and still doing exactly that. It appeared in Season 8, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Burgers, Steaks and Chops,” which aired November 23, 2009. Guy Fieri barely fit his mouth around the Harvard Double Burger and called the onion rings something to eat by the handful. The restaurant has since named a burger after him. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash have all eaten here. Boston Magazine named it best burger in Boston multiple times. The Wall Street Journal ranked it among the best burgers in the country.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage
City: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cuisine: Burgers
DDD Season: 8
DDD Episode: 1
Episode Title: Burgers, Steaks and Chops
Original Air Date: November 23, 2009
Address: 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-354-6559
Website: https://mrbartley.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Guy Fieri Burger is the obvious order — they named one after him. The Harvard Double Burger is the classic that Guy struggled to fit in his mouth. The Onion Rings are Wall Street Journal-ranked. The Frappes and Lime Rickeys are the drinks that complete the meal. Burgers are named after celebrities and politicians and the menu changes regularly — check the chalkboard. Find a Boston or Cambridge hotel on Booking.com.
Plan Your Visit
Open Monday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Cash only. Lines go out the door at peak hours.
Address: 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-354-6559
Website: https://mrbartley.com
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Stream the Burgers, Steaks and Chops episode on Amazon and bring the Harvard Square burger spirit home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Burger Joint Seasoning and Guy’s Top Secret Sauce.
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Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage appeared in Season 8, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Burgers, Steaks and Chops,” originally aired November 23, 2009. The restaurant opened in 1960 and has been a Harvard Square institution for over 60 years.