Mei Mei Boston – Locally sourced Chinese-American food

Like the Clover empire, Mei Mei began (and remains) as a successful food truck, specializing in "Chinese American" cuisine- read, creative sandwiches served on scallion pancakes, wholesome grain salads and soups, and unexpectedly delicious non-alcoholic drinks. Now Mei Mei is also an adorable brick-and-mortar cafe, tucked in a street of Boston University residence halls.

A chalkboard with colorful writing and drawings occupies one long wall, alluding to the food truck's menus. Order at the counter from the cheery staff, then grab a table and wait for your name to be called.

Produce and meat are locally sourced, menu options vary from day to day. Standouts include any of the sandwiches served on scallion pancakes and I'm a fan of the various dumpling offerings they have at the time. Vegetarians also need not despair: Mei Mei is the rare restaurant that pays equally close attention to meat and veg dishes, as demonstrated by the amazing curry bowl available.

Before you go, be sure to check out the bathrooms, with old cookbook pages decoupaged to the walls and a floor made of pennies suspended in resin. And on your way out, why not grab a chocolate-chip cookie? Dusted with sea salt, they're both homey and a step up from the everyday, much like the rest of Mei Mei's menu.