This past Monday was our fifth week on 95.9 WATD, South Shore Live – the show that tells you where to go, who to know and what to do on the south shore. So far on the Virtual View, we’ve talked about tweeting, creative ways to use blogs sites, Wikipedia, email alerts and fun things happening online in the South Shore.

This week, we traveled to Scituate, Massachusetts [aka the Irish Riviera and my hometown] and we talked facebook and Yelp. Why? Because there’s this sub shop called Maria’s Sandwich Shop on Front Street in Scituate, Ma who’s fans are so devoted they’ve created not 1, but 2 facebook accounts with nearly 1000 loyal followers. They also have 4.5 stars on Yelp, the largest online customer review hub.

Why? I think because they’ve tapped in the ultimate user experience for grinders. These hard core sub makers even refuse to offer lettuce. Won’t even stock it. And rumor has it if you ask for it you might get scolded. Although the people who work there I’m told are delightful.

They are convinced the ultimate user call is tomato, onions, pickles and hots. And it has been for over 40 years. All buns toasted. Cheese always on the bottom. Never the top. The owner, Jay Powers [who hopped right on the phone with me] says folks come in from all over the country and they often see him before they see their own family. He refused to mention any names. LOL — Jay says that’s the way his father Jim ran the place when he first started it, and it’s never changed.

Now don’t go there expecting fancy sit-down. This is strictly grab-n-go. In fact cars are never in the front five parking spaces for more than 15 minutes. Some Maria’s favorites? Pastrami and cheese meted on the bottom, bun toasted [of course]. My friend Alyson [long time Scituate resident] says her daughter Hadley loves chicken salad with pickles, bun toasted. Neil Gray, author of Raising Scituate’s Spirits [another guest on our show that night] says it’s all about the turkey with cranberry sauce. Neil we’re guessing your bun is toasted too. Why wouldn’t it be?

So the next time you’re in Scituate..check this place out. And start yelping online whenever you “like” or “dislike” a place. Or check out yelp before you go somewhere. It’s the best review source around.

So to wrap it up. {bad pun, we know]. This simple sub shop in Scituate is a player in our book. And a great addition to our radio show. Tune again next week. ::play:: and the South Shore Live entourage will be headed to Duxbury.

Tags: facebook, quick food, yelp