Karamarie Joyce ’15 Editor-in-Chief & Colin Flannery ’14 Staff Writer
Local North Andover diner seeks to gain more service from Merrimack Students.
Every once in a while a restaurant opens up that can single-handedly raise the bar of what delicious and affordable food really means. Fari’s Diner has not only surpassed every expectation of what a delectable breakfast is but has redefined breakfast in an entirely new way.
For Merrimack College students fitting in breakfast just got a lot easier. Fari’s Diner is located at 350 Winthrop Ave just up the street from campus in the Market Basket Plaza. The Diner is open all week from 8am through 4pm, serving breakfast all day long! Faris’ recently announced they will now be accepting Mack Cards, allowing you to use Mack Bucks to pay for your dining experience.
Merrimack College student, Joe Carnevale ‘15 comments on his recent experience at the diner, “I’ve been to a lot of breakfast places but Faris’ is definitely my favorite. The pancakes are incredible, the omelets are phenomenal, and they’ve even perfected bacon, which I didn’t even think could be improved”.
Breakfast is the specialty at this diner; the menu offers all your breakfast favorites from creative omelets, full fluffy pancakes made bigger than your face, crispy bacon, French toast and more! Faris’ even offers healthier alternatives like oatmeal topped with fruit.
Fari’s Diner was previously part of the chain of Brigham’s Ice Cream Shops, which have slowly started to disappear over the last ten years. And even though Brigham’s was a well-respected restaurant, the new name has seemingly reenergized the restaurant and has made this place a new hot spot for breakfast goers.
The lunch menu offered at Fari’s remains very similar to the style of lunched served at Brigham’s Ice Cream Shops. A variety of sandwiches and wraps are offered, one of the most popular being the sweet barbeque chicken wrap served with French fries and a pickle. Tom Conley ’15 discussed his first lunch experience at Faris’, “I didn’t know what to expect, but I got the BBQ Chicken Wrap and it was literally immaculate. I will come back here time and time again not only because the food is amazing but because the waitresses were wicked nice and made me feel like they were my mom making me lunch”.
The lunch menu also includes different styles of burgers, an extensive salad portion, and of course a crowd favorite the ice cream section. There is everything from your classic banana split, seasonal ice cream flavors, to thick milkshakes. If you even think you like ice cream you will go bananas for Fari’s ice cream. Whoever is in charge of awarding great ice cream places needs to visit Faris’.
Fari Tayarina managed the restaurant when it was operating as a Brigham’s Ice Cream Shop, and took over when Brigham’s decided to close this location. She then opened up Fari’s in its place keeping the same basic format we all loved about Brigham’s. The staff of Fari’s is amazing not only because they provide efficient and friendly service, but because they literally do it all by themselves. The kitchen of the diner is not tucked away in the back like most restaurants are; it is instead located behind the bar in the front of the restaurant. With a set up like this you are able to see your meal being cooked right before your eyes. No chef’s are hired to do the cooking, instead the waitresses do it all themselves! You will watch your waitress multitask like crazy as she takes your order, cooks your meal, tends to her other tables still finding time to make sure your drink is refilled at all times. The staff here must have super powers with their ability to run this restaurant single handedly without breaking a sweat.
Walking into the restaurant you get the welcoming feel of a small town diner, with two rows of booths in front of you as you walk in the door, accompanied by a bar stretching the entire length of the restaurant itself. This bar is filled with regular customers in the morning chowing down their favorite breakfast dished accompanied by a cup of fresh brewed coffee. As the afternoon approaches you’ll find the seats of the bar filled with children getting their sweet tooth craving fulfilled with Fari’s extensive ice cream menu!
You may have passed by this diner before as you are grocery shopping at Market Basket, or stocking up for the weekend at Wine and Beer at the Andovers, now that they except Mack Cards there is no excuse not to come in take a seat and try what they have to offer. After your first experience at Faris’ you will definitely be coming back time and time again.
Hours: Mon-Sun 8 am – 4 pm
Good for Kids: Yes Accepts Credit Cards: Yes (and Mack Cards)
Parking: Private Lot Attire: Casual
Good for Groups: Yes
Price Range:$$
Takes Reservations: No Delivery: No
Take-out: Ice Cream Only
Waiter Service: Yes
Outdoor Seating: No
Wi-Fi: No
Good For: Breakfast/Lunch
Alcohol: No
Noise Level: Average
Ambience: Casual
Has TV: No
Caters: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
