The High Spot Deli is an anomaly on the Beacon Hill restaurant scene, since it’s neither divey (Capitol Coffee House, Fill-a-Buster Restaurant) nor swanky (the Federalist, Scollay Square). Instead, the High Spot (or Hi Spot — the owners use both spellings) stakes out a comfortable middle ground: cheap, good food, served in a pleasantly spare setting.There are some solid breakfast options — the cheese omelet wrap ($3.81) is particularly good — but lunchtime is when the High Spot is at its busiest and best. The “Signature Plate” ($6.67) is hefty enough to serve as a main meal for most diners. It boasts several chunks of char-grilled, flavorful chicken; a substantial amount of rice pilaf, velvety and perfectly cooked; and, best of all, a dollop of “fresh, tangy veggie salsa” consisting of tomatoes, green peppers, and red onion — all fresh and possessed of a little kick.
The sandwiches are strong, too. The Reuben ($6.24) came on well-toasted dark rye, and contained what looked to be a good half-pound of corned beef (leaner and more tender than the average Reuben’s), as well as melted Swiss, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.
The High Spot’s repertoire even extends to pizza. Their pies are dense and crisp-crusted, with a hint of sweetness in the dough. The veggie ($2.38/slice) is especially tasty: it’s judiciously topped with slices of onion, green and red pepper, black olives, and fresh mushrooms, and easily surpasses the soggy monstrosities trotted out by certain other establishments under the “veggie” rubric. (The shrimp-and-basil pizza is also highly recommended.)
As an added plus, the High Spot affords the opportunity to take a gander at the men and women who make Massachusetts government tick, for better or worse. The clientele ranges from summer interns to high-profile politicians; on a recent weekday, Democratic attorney general and populist gubernatorial candidate Tom Reilly ducked in for a late lunch. His selection was appropriately all-American: turkey club, chips, and a bottle of milk.
The High Spot Deli, 10 Beacon Street,Boston |Mon. – Fri., 6:30 am - 4 pm | 617.573.9422
