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Phantom Gourmet: The Halfway Cafe

BOSTON (CBS) – You don't have to go all the way into Boston or across the state to get a great meal.

The Phantom Gourmet shows you only have to go Halfway.

The Halfway Café stared with one restaurant in Dedham back in 1990. Over the past 25 years. they've expanded to stores in Watertown, Marlboro, Canton, Holbrook and Maynard.

Owner John Grasso says their success is based on a simple formula.

"We sell burgers and steak tips, but you know what, we sell an experience" Grasso said. "It's easy on the wallet. It's quality food at inexpensive prices."

"We don't sell anything different from a lot of other places but it's the ambiance, the service and the recognition," he added.

The restaurants have been remodeled over the years. Always buzzing and bustling with a busy bar, sports on the flat screens and a family-friendly dining room.

The menu constantly evolves but the prices have remained incredibly low on items such as the signature hand-cut Halfway fries. They also have addictive appetizers such as boneless wings, fried pickles and onion rings.

Burgers are extremely popular, whether you want an all-natural steak burger with bacon and cheese or a turkey burger with carmelized onions and grilled apples.

Some go all in with a buffalo chicken sandwich or the flatiron steak marinated in beer and citrus, while others opt for something lighter such as the chicken kabob salad or a grilled salmon filet with balsamic glaze and basil pesto.

Everybody agrees that the Halfway gives you full value for your money.

"People are looking for quality, people are looking for value, especially today because if you have value you build loyalty and with loyalty you have repeat guests," Grasso stressed. "People aren't our customers, they're our guests."

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.

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