Will the Real Al Please Stand Up?

Ever wonder who made your delicious 2:00 a.m. burrito, or dreamt up your guacamole-smothered Tom Brady burger? Flyby toured the Square to meet the namesakes of some of the most celebrated local restaurants.

Al's Harvard Square Café

Alan F. Costello, better known as Al, is a character at home in the chaos of his sandwich shop. "If you have 20 people in a room, you will know which one is Al," says employee Carlos Chichas. "He's a nut," his friend Junior chimes in. You can often find Al himself working behind the counter during the week or hear his booming voice from the kitchen. Everyone knows Al, and Al knows everyone. If you meet him one day, he'll remember you the next.

Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe

Frank N. Cardullo was an Italian immigrant who owned the Wursthaus, a German beer house which was located right across the street from Cardullo's present location. As the story goes, he opened Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe so that his wife would have something to do while he served beer to World War II veterans. A successful businessman, he was committed to importing the best ingredients from around the world, including mustards from France, olive oil from Italy, and chocolate from Belgium.

Felipe's Taqueria

If you want to find Felipe Herrera, look for the man pressing tortillas behind the counter. Felipe fits right in with the hectic atmosphere of his tacqueria, where he works six days a week. "I am dedicated to keeping the cheapest prices in town with all the freshest ingredients," he says. "It's just incredible that I can do it in such a small kitchen!" All his ingredients come straight from the market, and he never uses cans.

Mr. Bartley's Burgers

Joe Bartley is a Harvard Square legend. His son Bill Bartley calls him "a crazy old guy" whose lively personality adds to the environment of his burger joint. Around the walls, you'll see pictures of Joe with friends, locals, and family. You can usually find the 82-year-old Bartley sitting in a chair outside his restaurant. Stop in and say hello, but be warned: you might walk out with a burger named after you.