Redbones
Davis Square, Somerville
Restaurant in Somerville, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Redbones is a better pick for an easy, upbeat Somerville lunch or casual group dinner than for a formal special occasion. Booking difficulty is easy, the schedule works for both daytime and evening meals, the strongest use case is low-pressure dining near Davis Square rather than a polished destination meal.
About Redbones
Choose Redbones when the goal is a casual meal in Somerville rather than a formal or highly structured dining plan. The practical frame is simple: Redbones is a Somerville venue with a casual dress code and regular service Tuesday through Sunday.
Plan around the city, the casual dress code, the current weekly hours rather than treating it as a destination splurge.
Plan around the hours
Redbones is closed on Monday. It is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM.
The later Friday and Saturday closing times may make those days more convenient for evening plans, while the same 11:30 AM opening time from Tuesday through Sunday gives planners a broad window to work. Beyond those hours, confirm current details directly with the venue before making plans.
Use it for a casual Somerville plan
For group planning, the clearest cue is the dress code: casual. That makes Redbones a better fit for an easygoing Somerville meal than for an occasion where formal attire or a fine-dining format is important.
First-timers should keep expectations practical. Choose it for a casual meal rather than for awards, a named chef, a signature dish, a stated price point, or a specific service format. For a visitor building a broader Somerville plan, pair this with our full Somerville restaurants guide; the Somerville bars guide can also help with planning around the meal.
Bottom line: choose Redbones for a casual Somerville meal during its operating hours. If the occasion requires a more formal setup, compare it with other Somerville dining options before deciding.
Planning details
- Location
- 55 Chester St, Somerville, MA 02144
- Website
- redbones.com
- Phone
- +16176282200
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Redbones reads like a classic neighborhood barbecue joint that prizes consistency over flash. It sits on Chester Street as a fixture that predates the area’s waves of change, and the copy emphasizes a straightforward, no-frills approach—"direct, cash-comfortable" and built for repeat customers. The point of pride here is operational discipline: disciplined smoking, steady service rhythms, and a team-driven front of house that aligns with the kitchen. The result is familiar and comforting rather than trendy—a dependable place where the food and the routine of service create the restaurant’s lasting character.
Best For
This is a place for meat-focused, relaxed dinners with friends, families of barbecue lovers, and neighborhood regulars who value consistency. The writing frames Redbones as a venue that rewards patience—smoke times and protein sequencing matter—so it’s best for diners who are there for the food and the communal experience rather than a single impressive first impression. It suits casual gatherings and those who enjoy sharing plates of ribs, brisket, and pulled pork alongside drinks chosen to hold up to smoke and fat.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the signatures: St. Louis ribs, sliced brisket, Texas beef ribs, and pulled pork are the kitchen’s core offerings and the most reliable way to sample the pit discipline the copy describes. Expect that certain proteins require smoke time; ask staff how long your selection will take and plan for shared plates if you’re with a group. The description highlights "beverage pairing logic," so solicit drink recommendations from the team—bar service and pairings are treated as part of the barbecue collaboration and will help balance the smoke-forward flavors.
Venue details
Ambiance
Festive barbecue-themed decor with nostalgic Americana, exposed wood beams, and pig motifs creating a casual, lively Southern atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- St Louis ribs
- sliced brisket
- Texas beef ribs
- pulled pork
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Diesel Cafe, Notable alternative
- The Painted Burro, Notable alternative
- Five Horses Tavern, Notable alternative
- Urban Hearth, Notable alternative
- Frank's Steak House, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Redbones compares in Somerville
Choose Redbones when ease and a casual group mood matter more than polish. Compared with Diesel Cafe, it reads more like a full-meal choice than a cafe stop, so it is better for dinner plans or groups that want a louder, more social setting. Diesel Cafe is the cleaner fallback for a daytime meet-up when the meal itself is not the main event.
The Painted Burro and Five Horses Tavern are the more obvious cross-shops for diners who want a lively Somerville night out but are not fixed on Redbones. Pick The Painted Burro when the group wants a brighter, more party-leaning meal; pick Five Horses Tavern when a tavern format feels safer for mixed tastes.
For a more occasion-minded meal, Urban Hearth is the stronger comparison if the priority is a composed experience rather than easy energy. Frank's Steak House makes more sense when the brief is old-school comfort and a heavier dinner. Redbones is the easiest recommendation for casual convenience, not for a splurge or a quiet celebration.
Explore Somerville
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Redbones guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Redbones
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Redbones | Somerville | No published awards |
| Diesel Cafe | Somerville | No published awards |
| The Painted Burro | Somerville | No published awards |
| Five Horses Tavern | Somerville | No published awards |
| Urban Hearth | Cambridge | 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Michelin Plate |
| Frank's Steak House | Cambridge | No published awards |
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How Redbones Somerville compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redbones good for a special occasion?
Only if the occasion calls for a casual meal in Somerville rather than a formal setup. The dress code is casual, so plan accordingly and confirm any occasion-specific needs directly with the venue.
Does Redbones handle dietary restrictions?
Ask the venue directly before you go, especially if your group needs specific allergy or dietary information.
What should I wear to Redbones?
Keep it casual. The dress code for Redbones is casual.
What should a first-timer know about Redbones?
Use it as a casual Somerville option. Redbones is closed Monday; it is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM.
What timing is best for Redbones?
Hours begin at 11:30 AM Tuesday through Sunday, with closing at 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 10 PM Friday and Saturday. Choose the timing that best fits your plan, confirm current hours directly before you go.
What are alternatives to Redbones in Somerville?
Other nearby options to consider include Diesel Cafe, Five Horses Tavern, The Painted Burro, Urban Hearth, along with other dining in Somerville.
