Jan 27, 201212:56 PM

EXPLORING THE SOUTH SHORE ONE BITE AT A TIME

Nikos Bistro Doesn’t Disappoint

My little family finds it constitutionally objectionable to wait in line. That means more often than not, we give popular restaurants a pass, which is why for years we’d driven by Nikos in Weymouth’s Jackson Square, and never stopped. The small parking lot is almost always crowded.  In warm weather, waiting customers trickle outside to the street. I’d long been wondering what I’d been missing though. One weekday morning, when I was on my own+ in the area, I decided to brave the line— except, that day, there wasn’t one.  As I stepped through the door, an open seat beckoned, so I sat down and ordered my usual “first-timer” breakfast.  

One smiling waitress, quick service, several coffee refills and a huge plate of eggs and potatoes later, I was a convert.  And not just any convert, but a take-a-trip-back-the-next-week-to-further-test-the-menu convert. Open for breakfast and lunch, Nikos has an extensive and varied selection, and I was eager to dive into one of the eleven versions of eggs Benedict offered.

I didn’t wait in line the second time either and my Tuscan style eggs benedict, (two poached eggs, roasted tomato, prosciutto, and mozzarella cheese with béarnaise, $7.25) arrived, fast, gooey, and delightful. It was so good; I returned the next week, for the Breakfast Extravaganza—two poached eggs with asparagus and bacon, on rye toast with home fries ($6.75).
 

After three visits—no lines, and outstanding food; it was time to share the news. I bribed my home-from-college daughter with the temptation of a late weekday breakfast, forgetting to factor in a Monday holiday. Doesn’t it figure? The place was packed. But in spite of her eye rolling, we waited, and once her “Full House” (two eggs, pancakes, home fries $5.75) landed on a table in front of her, she bought into my “wait is worth it” assurances. So much so, that when I used this South Shore Living post as an excuse to test Nikos for lunch, she readily agreed. 
 

We waited then too, but the line moved quickly. Nikos’ lunch menu is affordable, and every bit as varied as breakfast. With several Black Angus hamburger selections ($5.50-6.50), Paninis, signature sandwiches, wraps, salads and blackboard specials, it would be hard not to find something to like. The day we were there, specials included fried haddock, fish and chips, spinach pie, chicken kebab, and steak tips.
My daughter settled on a turkey club from the regular menu ($6.75), which arrived at the table buried in what she described as “two pounds” of crispy, thin and hot-from-the-fryer French fries.  She pronounced the sandwich “excellent.”  I tried a Tuscan Chicken Panini ($6.95), a moist, grilled chicken breast with pesto, balsamic vinaigrette and roasted onions on focaccia. It too, arrived with a mountain of fries. I’m ashamed to admit on top of polishing off my yummy, garlicky sandwich, I ate every one.
 

Nikos is a hit with all ages. Tables fill with students, seniors and everything in between, including a state senator who arrived for lunch the day we were there. With high quality, tasty food at affordable prices, there is a reason people wait. I’m thinking twice about this blog post. It has the potential to lengthen the line at Nikos and I don’t want to chance that. There are two converts in our family now. It’s time to work on one more.
 

Nikos Bistro: 948 Broad Street, Weymouth, (781) 335-4423. www.nikosweymouth.com
Open 6-3, seven days a week

Liza Carens Salerno is a freelance writer from the South Shore with a love of great food.  Her work has appeared in Boston Globe Magazine, South Shore Living, Adoptive Families Magazine, Writersdigest.com and the Mariner newspapers.  She also writes marketing materials for small businesses and uses her extensive background in HR to develop client resumes. Find out more at www.lcswrites.com, or read Liza’s blog at www.middlepassages-lcs.blogspot.com. 

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