Restaurants in Millbury

Although it may have fallen out of Top 40 rotation in the 70 years since it was sung by a burger-shop owner’s barbershop quartet, the song “When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)” lives on in the legacy of a Seattle-based burger joint. The Red Robin franchise has spread its wings far and wide, now serving locations throughout North America with sustainably grown, environmentally conscious burgers and sides that marry classic American flavors with savory twists such as onion straws or bruschetta. Most of the shop’s fire-grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, and entrees come with a side of bottomless steak fries, allowing patrons to soak up the juicy Whiskey River barbecue sauce, melted blue cheese, and edible fedoras that top the menu’s varied eats. The staff are happy to help patrons pair their sandwiches with one of the full bar’s microbrews or specialty mixed drinks, keeping glasses filled while athletic superstars battle it out on the eatery's big-screen TVs.

The ancient art of dining meets modern ingredients and design at Feng Asian Bistro, where delicate geometric forms adorn both the walls and rice-covered plates. Cozy up in a stone-spangled alcove and dip into Feng’s lunch and dinner offerings to find yellow-tail jalapeño starters ($12), eel-cucumber sushi rolls ($6), and entrees such as miso-glazed Chilean sea bass ($16 lunch, $27 dinner). Enterprising eaters can tackle their fare in the main dining room, the lounge, or the sushi bar.

Sweet T Southern Kitchen’s stealthy servers dish up hearty portions of made-from-scratch Southern comfort food for lunch and dinner. The uncomplicated menu includes four meats and 10 homespun sides for diners to mix and match in combo platters ($6.75+). Big-man-on-campus proteins such as country-fried chicken and smothered steak go steady with demure southern sides such as fried okra, baked mac ‘n’ cheese, candied sweet potatoes, or black-eyed peas. Meanwhile, steaming bowls of beef stew, chili, or spicy chicken gumbo ($4.50 each) are accompanied by Sweet T’s crackling cornbread, warming up bellies and helping to thaw frozen ancestors.

Swirls of sauce and fresh orchid blossoms adorn entrees at Hirosaki Prime, where chefs craft traditional and contemporary Japanese dishes. At tabletop grills throughout the 54-seat hibachi room, they blend cooking and performance in a showy display as they sauté vegetables and seasoned meats. In the smaller lounge, alit with votive candles, otherworldly artwork, and walls inlaid with a soft red glow, guests can sample other Japanese dishes such as chicken teriyaki, as well as specialty sushi rolls such as the Ninja roll, whose shrimp tempura, cucumber, and spicy tuna hide in plain sight.

Brian's Restaurant's 110 seats play host to dining on authentic New England homestyle pub fare categorized on the menu. Sample one of the daily dinner specials, such as Monday's all-you-can-eat prime rib rubbed with a house seasoning and slow roasted for hours ($15.99) or Wednesday's family-style chicken with pasta, fries, and a soup and salad bar ($8.99). Seafood entrees such as the fried-seafood plate with Atlantic haddock, Maine clams, Bay scallops, and shrimp ($19.99) delights coastal carnivores, and land-based meat eaters can enjoy one of Brian's delectable beef or chicken dishes. A selection of old-time favorites such as meatloaf with roasted onion and mushroom gravy ($9.99) and chicken pot pie ($9.99) conjure up memories of home, family, imaginary childhood friends, and imaginary childhood bosses as patrons feast in Brian's wood-paneled dining room.

Melted butter and housemade cracker stuffing coat the succulent pieces of tail and claw meat inside Bridge Street Bistro's lazy lobster pie. The name cheekily undersells the rich entree, as well as the bistro's culinary team, whose extensive menu showcases a commitment to cooking that's anything but lazy. Dishes range from panko-crusted pork chops to Italian-style entrees such as haddock parmesan and flatbreads topped with pesto-infused mozzarella. Besides hearty lunches and dinners, the bistro's cooks add upscale twists to brunch with options such as pumpkin-stuffed French toast, which, at the stroke of noon, turns into a carriage for your ride home. Gluten-free dishes are available at any of the bistro's mealtimes.

Fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables fill the shelves of Weepin Willies, a local market that stocks produce and meats at two locations. Shoppers can find high quality cuts of beef, chicken, and pork, or opt for Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and prepared soups, salads, and sandwiches from the deli.