The Friendly Toast is a bustling restaurant in Harvard Sq., whose claim to fame is that they serve an all day brunch (and bar, but let’s not worry about that). However, after further research I have discovered that this innocent storefront is in fact a point of controversy amongst many of our fellow students. As it turns out, there is quite the spectrum of feelings regarding The Friendly Toast, ranging from love to hate, truly painting a dizzying picture. So who is right?
I, myself, went before having heard all the mixed reviews from my peers to experience The Friendly Toast firsthand and to understand what they do best, brunch. It was a Sunday morning at 11 a.m. that I walked through those doors, and when I came out I was smiling. The service was quick but didn’t feel rushed, the ambiance was there (perhaps a little forced), and the food was VERY good. If I had one complaint, it would be that there is some wait time to get a table because of how crowded it gets, but that alone would not bring down my already great impression of the place. So there I was, stomach full of chicken n’ waffles, a smile on my face, ready to give a glowing review of 4.2 out of 5 Falcons. But what do other people think?
I asked other students what they thought of The Friendly Toast and some of their replies surprised me. Aurora Hill ’25 told the Register Forum, “The food is very not the best: it’s not the epitome of good breakfast food. If you want good breakfast food go to IHOP.” As a strong advocate for Zoe’s Diner, Hill emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses, and how the chains popping up in Harvard hurt local business owners. As a place that presents itself as a local, eclectic diner, it comes as a shock to many, myself included, that The Friendly Toast is actually a restaurant chain.
The conflicting nature of The Friendly Toast came up quite often in critiques. Angelica Brisk, someone who had been to the very first Friendly Toast (before they expanded) told the Register Forum, “They’ve made it a chain of kitschy stuff– wallpaper, decor, signage; it seems like they are putting up an enticing facade. What used to be a unique collection of items has been reproduced in every restaurant for marketing purposes.” It seems that in their attempts to sell themselves on being “mom and pop” they have pushed away customers. Of course, not everyone feels the same. Nia Guerrero ’25 gushes, “I love the ambiance. I love the food. I love the vibe. It’s just so cutesy, and they never disappoint me.”
All in all, The Friendly Toast is a different experience for everyone, and the only way for you to find out where you stand is to go experience it for yourself! Make sure to bring family and friends with you and let us know what you think.
This article also appears in our June 2024 edition.
