Eating in-house at the Hynes during AB
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:34 pm
As folks know, The Hynes started offering in-house catering during events right after the Food Court shut down a few years ago. They were added because the Food Court was gone and also mainly because Anime Boston IS the largest venue they host in terms of attendees and volume.
Last year was the first time I ate exclusively in-house but only because money wasn't an issue for me. This was also the second year in a row the Hynes had a full-service cafeteria on the ground floor in addition to the stands set up on the second and third floors. I can speak to that a bit.
Ok so the dining area in the cafeteria can seat about 100 people. Food pricing...$10 will cover a drink ($2 or $3) + 1 Entree Item: Burger, Hot Dog, Italian Sausage, Turkey Leg, Salad, Chicken Sandwhich, Pizza or Taco Salad ($5 to $9) + 1 Side of French Fries or Chips ($2 to $4). Snacks range from $2 to $4 each.
The stands on the 2nd and 3rd floors have most of what the cafeteria does. The one on the second floor is on the west end of the building by the elevators. The one on the third floor is across from the video game room (Room Panel B). The foods are prepared in the cafeteria and then brought to the 2nd and 3rd floor stands until they're sold out or they close for the day, whichever happens first and it's usually the latter.
In terms of freshness, it depends on when you go. The burgers and hot sandwiches in the food stands are sitting in warmers but they were prepared in the last hour or two. Salads are put on ice but will maintain their freshness for the whole day. In the cafeteria, only grab the pizzas you see get put out when you get there. Otherwise, it's been sitting there and the crust has gotten stale. The Turkey Legs are thoroughly cooked so there's no fear of foodbore illness. I didn't eat the fries and got chips instead. I'm not a Fry Guy in general.
In terms of pricing, like I hinted at earlier that's the tradeoff for not leaving the Hynes to eat: Things cost more. For those who are either on a tight budget or will be there with family, this is a huge factor to take into consideration. As a reminder, Anime Boston has no control over the pricing or the selections of the foods offered. You can speak to a member of Hynes staff or their concierge to provide written feedback.
Since AB 2017, 3 new restaurants have opened in the Pru: Anna Taqueria, Dig Inn and Num Pang Kitchen (sells Vietnamese Sandwiches). All 3 are across from Wagamama. It was also recently announced that Wahlburgers will be opening in the location formerly occupied by P.F. Chang's later this year. Finally, you can bring in your own food from elsewhere to eat in the Hynes. I packed a lunch for AB2016 since I had zero budget (LOL!). Many just go to Au Bon Pain or Star Market to get what they need for the day, then go to a restaurant when they leave the Hynes for the night.
You can bring food into video rooms and rooms with panels but practice some courtesy. Clean up after yourself and especially in the video rooms. The lights are off and it's hard to see. No one wants to sit in the blot of ketchup that missed your burger or hot dog. No one wants to step on the wad of gum that "accidently" fell out of your mouth. Try to eat quietly. If you have to, open that bag of Doritos before you walk into the room. Finally, be mindful some people with food allergies may have a reaction from the odor alone so try to be mindful of who's sitting nearby before you eat that Butterfingers or Pay Day.
...Just some info to keep in mind. Oh, and contact info for the Hynes. Main Number: (617) 954-2000.
Last year was the first time I ate exclusively in-house but only because money wasn't an issue for me. This was also the second year in a row the Hynes had a full-service cafeteria on the ground floor in addition to the stands set up on the second and third floors. I can speak to that a bit.
Ok so the dining area in the cafeteria can seat about 100 people. Food pricing...$10 will cover a drink ($2 or $3) + 1 Entree Item: Burger, Hot Dog, Italian Sausage, Turkey Leg, Salad, Chicken Sandwhich, Pizza or Taco Salad ($5 to $9) + 1 Side of French Fries or Chips ($2 to $4). Snacks range from $2 to $4 each.
The stands on the 2nd and 3rd floors have most of what the cafeteria does. The one on the second floor is on the west end of the building by the elevators. The one on the third floor is across from the video game room (Room Panel B). The foods are prepared in the cafeteria and then brought to the 2nd and 3rd floor stands until they're sold out or they close for the day, whichever happens first and it's usually the latter.
In terms of freshness, it depends on when you go. The burgers and hot sandwiches in the food stands are sitting in warmers but they were prepared in the last hour or two. Salads are put on ice but will maintain their freshness for the whole day. In the cafeteria, only grab the pizzas you see get put out when you get there. Otherwise, it's been sitting there and the crust has gotten stale. The Turkey Legs are thoroughly cooked so there's no fear of foodbore illness. I didn't eat the fries and got chips instead. I'm not a Fry Guy in general.
In terms of pricing, like I hinted at earlier that's the tradeoff for not leaving the Hynes to eat: Things cost more. For those who are either on a tight budget or will be there with family, this is a huge factor to take into consideration. As a reminder, Anime Boston has no control over the pricing or the selections of the foods offered. You can speak to a member of Hynes staff or their concierge to provide written feedback.
Since AB 2017, 3 new restaurants have opened in the Pru: Anna Taqueria, Dig Inn and Num Pang Kitchen (sells Vietnamese Sandwiches). All 3 are across from Wagamama. It was also recently announced that Wahlburgers will be opening in the location formerly occupied by P.F. Chang's later this year. Finally, you can bring in your own food from elsewhere to eat in the Hynes. I packed a lunch for AB2016 since I had zero budget (LOL!). Many just go to Au Bon Pain or Star Market to get what they need for the day, then go to a restaurant when they leave the Hynes for the night.
You can bring food into video rooms and rooms with panels but practice some courtesy. Clean up after yourself and especially in the video rooms. The lights are off and it's hard to see. No one wants to sit in the blot of ketchup that missed your burger or hot dog. No one wants to step on the wad of gum that "accidently" fell out of your mouth. Try to eat quietly. If you have to, open that bag of Doritos before you walk into the room. Finally, be mindful some people with food allergies may have a reaction from the odor alone so try to be mindful of who's sitting nearby before you eat that Butterfingers or Pay Day.
...Just some info to keep in mind. Oh, and contact info for the Hynes. Main Number: (617) 954-2000.
but I do have the money. And I do bring snacks with me into the Hynes, water, chips, and breakfast bars. I get to refill my water bottle at the water stations in one of the panel rooms. This is probably what I'm going to do for this year as well.
