the best greasy spoon in the Boston area was The Tasty in Harvard Square--open 24 hours.

Sadly it closed (along with an Italian-owned German pub called The Wursthaus which had a huge selection of German beers) last year and that whole block was bought by developers and the entire look and feel of Harvard Square has changed irrevocably. All the old businesses have had to close due to high rents from greedy landlords and desires to renovate from new developers. This string of old businesses in ther heart of historic Harvard Square is now pacific Sunwear store and an Abercrombie and Fitch store and a chain bagel shop...

I loved it there at The Tasty. I went there about once a month for a grilled cheese sandwich or some bacon and eggs. The two hot dog special was popular and everytime I ate there someone walked in and ordered one and left with it. A tiny place where the sweat from the frycook's forehead was always millimeters from dripping into your coffee. Where goth-clad street urchins shared the ten leatherette stools with Harvard professors, students, tourists and locals who worked retail in the Square.

I still mourn its loss every time I walk by.