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International House Of Pancakes - Brighton, MA

International House Of Pancakes: 5.1

This IHOP located on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. This is one of the 15 IHOP's in Massachusetts and the 1200 across the US and Canada. In case you're living under a rock, it's a breakfast food chain which specializes in pancakes and french toast. They also have various types of syrup.

Location: Once in the restaurant, the bathrooms are located back and to the right. Turn right past where the hostess stands and head past the set of booths immediately to your left. Once the row of booths stops, head to your left towards a staff area. The bathrooms are to the right. There are signs directing you, though it isn't the easiest to locate.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Accessibility: This is a pretty busy IHOP and is open 24 hours. There is generally a hostess, though she shouldn't be too tough to get by considering that it is a restaurant. Because of this it's a good candidate for a Drive By so to speak.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Number of Stalls: There is only one stall here which is a bit of a concern considering how many people can eat at IHOP. It is a full bathroom however, so it could be worse.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Stall Quality: Was a pretty standard and sizeable stall. There was a paper seat guard as an option which is a plus. There was also a garbage can handy if it were needed.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Toiler Paper: Standard toilet paper here, if you look at the picture above you'll get a glimpse for yourself. 2 ply paper, nothing unusual.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Cleanliness: It was pretty messy in there considering there was a garbage can. Nothing incredibly disgusting, just a lot of TP on the ground.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Scent: No scent here. There was an air freshener, though I couldn't verify whether it was functional or not.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Flush: Not too strong of a flush for a 6 LPF toilet. While it should be ok, I would not over do it with toilet paper.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Aesthetics: Very much the bathroom you'd expect at an IHOP. Nothing too fancy, no art or newspaper, just a place to go to the bathroom.
Grade: 5 out of 10

The Bottom Line: I wish there was another stall here considering how many people can cram in here at a peak time. As a counterpoint, it could be a solid late night option. Bathroom can definitely be cleaner and the flush is a bit weak.

The Breakfast Club - Allston, MA

The Breakfast Club: 4.5




The Breakfast Club is located on Western Ave in Allston. It's a great breakfast spot, though it's only open until 2 PM. The breakfast is cheap, the food is good and the service is fast.

Location: The bathroom is located in the back right corner of the restaurant past the end of the counter.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Accessibility: During peak hours the line can go out the door making it tough to get through. As well, they're only open until 2 PM, so if it's after that, you're shit out of luck.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Number of Stalls: It's just a small room, not a stall. That being the case, there is only one place to go to the bathroom. If someone is already in there, you'll have nowhere to turn.
Grade: 2 out of 10

Stall Quality: One standard toilet with a sink located nearby. Very run of the mill. There was a scrubber nearby and also a trash can.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Toiler Paper: Unforutnately, there was no TP in the men's room. There was a closet outside of the bathroom that had a roll handy, but that's not going to be much help at that point, now is it?
Grade: 0 out of 10

Cleanliness: This bathroom was relatively clean and it should be considering it's a tiny room with a garbage can right there.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Scent: I doubt anyone had pooped in this bathroom too recently as no toilet paper. There wasn't much of an odor to notice otherwise.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Flush: This toilet had a reasonable flush, though i was not able to test it with anything worthwhile.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Aesthetics: Not this nicest bathroom, but far from disgusting
Grade: 5 out of 10

The Bottom Line: This bathroom isn't too high up on my list of options. The hours of operation really limit tthe potential usage of their facilities. As well, with the possibility that there will not be toliet paper there will make me want to look for better options. No one likes being left high and dry on the TP front (well, dry isn't the best word there).

The Sunset Cantina - Boston, MA

The Sunset Cantina: 6.2




The Sunset Cantina is located on Commonwealth Ave just off the Pleasant St. T Stop. It's a restaurant with great food and a huge beer selection, though not as large as it's counterpart down the road on Brighton Ave.

Location: To get to the bathroom you'll have to walk all the way to the back of the restaurant. They're past the kitchen and main seating area, the sign is reasonably visible.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Accessibility: The only issue here is getting by a hostess, though I imagine you could go in as if you were meeting people already seated, shouldn't be too complex. Should be fairly easy to get to unless there's a huge crowd at the door or the hostess is a Nazi.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Number of Stalls: Only one stall here and considering how many people go to the restaurant, there should be at least one more.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Stall Quality: Stall is spacious and generally in good condition. It is worth noting that the toilet was unusually high. I'm about 5' 9" and my feet were dangling and not quite hitting the floor. Also the lock, while functional, was a bit tricky and took me a minute to get into the right position.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Stall at the Cantina. The door is on the right (the wall is not slanted).

Toiler Paper: Par for the course here. Two ply standard paper, just what you'd expect.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Cleanliness: Bathroom was clean, normal wear and tear. Almost every bathroom has a paper towel or two on the floor. There were two garbage cans in the bathroom. Patrons are just too lazy to clean up for themselves.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Scent: No real scent to mention here. There was an air freshener, though I'm not sure it was functional. Either way, no worries here.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Flush: Solid flush, I'd imagine 6 Liters/1.6 Gallons per, though the toilet did not say it's ratio on it as many do. Either way, this toilet will be able to take what you give it.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Aesthetics: This is a pretty plain bathroom that you can tell is a few years old. Not completely plain, but not aesthetically pleasing. Blah.
Grade: 6 out of 10

The Bottom Line: While this bathroom rates out as a 6.2, it's very usable. Most of the average grade comes from the bathroom only having one stall and being located very far back in the restaurant. There is definitely a chance that a line for the stall could leave you in a bind. If there isn't a wait, the Sunset Cantina is a viable option.

Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA

The Paradise Rock Club: 1.8


The Paradise Rock Club is located on Commonwealth Ave near the Babcock St. T Stop. It's a rock club with a capacity of around 700 in the main room and approximately 200 in the front room.

Location: The bathrooms are easiest accessed from the entrance way for the mainroom. Head straight and turn left before you pass the ticket window. The men's room is at the end of that hallway to the left. If you know where it is, it's easy, if not you might need to ask.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Accessibility: In theory you wouldn't need a ticket to the show in the main room. However, you'd have to show ID to get by the door guy as some nights are 21+. There might be a line to get in if there is a concert starting. As well, if it is not night time the box office is only open during certain hours.
Grade: 2 out of 10

Number of Stalls: Number of stalls: 2. There are two stalls and unless the urinals are occupied or people are vomiting, you should have pretty easy access to the stalls. More on this in a second. Normally this would be a 7 out of 10.
Grade: 0 out of 10

Stall Quality: THERE WAS NO TOILET SEAT IN EITHER STALL! REPEAT: THERE WAS NO TOILET SEAT IN EITHER STALL! So yeah, using these stalls is pretty much out of the question at the moment. I think that's all that needs to be said on the quality of these stalls
Grade: 0 out of 10

Stall One

Stall 2

Toiler Paper: In the event that you were to take the plunge here, literally or figuratively, there was toilet paper, though there isn't always. I actually know someone who had to use their sock as TP while getting down at the Dise once but I guess that's neither here nor there. Also, the toilet paper was out in the open and can easily fall on the ground and in the toilet. Pretty gross.
Grade: 2 out of 10

Cleanliness: As is the case with bathrooms in most rock clubs, it was not too clean. Lot of general mess everywhere.
Grade: 3 out of 10

Scent: Definitely a bit of a stench. If people are using the bathroom for the old #2, I don't know how, so I'm not quite sure where all the smell comes from. It's noticeable and unpleasant though not completely unbearable.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Flush: Flush was reasonable, but again you wont want to be in a situation where you'll want to use the toilet so it's grade will note that.
Grade: 0 out of 10

Aesthetics: They quite clearly don't care at all about their bathroom. Holes in the wall behind the toilet are just one example of this. There are many others, trust me.
Grade: 2 out of 10

The Bottom Line: Don't use the bathroom here if you need to poop. Even if you're checking out a band, the club generally allows re-entry as long as you have a wrist band. If you're in need, run out of the club at mach speed. I'll post a relatively decent option in the area in the near future.

Big City - Allston, MA

Big City: 8.3




Big City is located just off the corner of Harvard Ave and Brighton Ave above The Sunset Grill. They have a great beer selection and an array of billiards and foosball tables. Alas it is a bar, so 21+ here.

Location: Once upstairs and in Big City, the restrooms are to your right. Couldn't be much easier to get to.
Grade: 10 out of 10

Accessibility: Outside of having to go up the stairs to get into Big City and likely having to show your ID, it'd be very easy to get into the bathroom unnoticed and without having to make a purchase. It's generally a busy place, very easy to blend in.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Number of Stalls: Two stalls here, both non-handicapped. I've never had a wait, though its possible that there would be one on a busy night.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Stall Quality: Both stalls are quite similar, a bit cramped but fairly reasonable all things considered. Once sitting, your arm will be close to the dispenser which gives a bit of a cramped feeling (unless that's another kind of cramped feeling). Stalls did have coat hangers, but otherwise were very run of the mill.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Big City Stall

Big City Toilet

Toiler Paper: Nothing special here, fairly industrial two ply. The dispensers were metallic and it wasn't easy to gauge how much was left, though that didn't seem to be much of a problem.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Cleanliness: Bathroom had standard wear and tear with paper towels on the floor and some water around the sink. There was a bunch of toilet paper in one of the stalls, though it was a slow night in the establishment and that shouldn't reflect too poorly on them. All in all, was pretty clean.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Scent: No noticeable odor here. There was a functional air freshener which was on a motion detector of sorts.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Flush: 6 Liters per flush here. Pretty standard for a restaurant in the city. Should be good to go.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Aesthetics: Big City seems to have put a good deal of effort into making their bathroom nice. There are a lot of nice beer signs and also small advertisements behind the toilets. The whole bathroom has more of a shiny black tile vibe which is different and nice. Sure there was some graffiti and the like, nothing too excessive.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Extra Credit:
Plunger: +1
Touch Free Hand Dryer: +1
Powerful Hand Dryer: +1

The Bottom Line: This is a very usable bathroom. I'd even go as far as to call it one of the better ones in Allston. If you're in the area and not sure you'll make it home, this is a good place to target. Only potential problem is if you're not 21.

The White Horse Tavern - Allston, MA

The White Horse Tavern: 7.4

The White Horse Tavern is located on Brighton Ave in Allston between Packard's Corner and Harvard Ave. It's a relatively fratty restaurant/bar so if you were to need to use a bathroom, this is only an option if you are 21+.

Location: The Bathrooms are located in the back left corner of the restaurant behind the pool tables, works out pretty well, easy to get to.
Grade - 9 out of 10

Accessibility: You should be able to get to it without being forced to buy anything or noticed by the staff. Only catch is it's a bar, so 21+.
Grade - 9 out of 10

Number of Stalls: There are two stalls, one handicapped, one non-handicapped. I haven't had to wait, though it could happen.
Grade - 7 out of 10

Stall Quality: The handicapped stall is by far the better of the two with much more room. While the non-handicapped stall has better lighting (the light over the handicapped stall was out), the non-handicapped stall is very cramped. While sitting on the toilet, which slants slightly to the left of the stall, you arm will be pushed up against the toilet paper dispenser. The stalls have coat hangers which is a plus.
Grade - 6 out of 10

Non-Handicapped Stall

Handicapped Stall

Toilet Paper: Pretty standard two ply paper that is not particularly soft. The dispensers each have the ability to contain two large rolls. Running out didn't seem to be an issue.
Grade - 7 out of 10

Cleanliness: bathroom was relatively clean. There were a few paper towels on the floor, but nothing too crazy or dirty.
Grade - 7 out of 10

Scent: No particular smell here, which is a good thing. There seemed to be a device above the urinal which will spray something that smells nice though I'm not too sure it was operational. Bottom line is there was no bad smell which is better than most.
Grade - 8 out of 10

Flush: 6 Liters Per Flush. The flush was very solid, no real worries about it being able to handle the load.
Grade - 9 out of 10

Aesthetics: This is a pretty boring bathroom. No newspapers or interesting art. While it's in decent shape, the restaurant does not seem to put any effort into make it feel like home.
Grade - 5 out of 10

Bottom Line: All in all, this is a very viable option. Only hindrance is being of legal age. While it might not be the first place I'd go, it's far from the last. Big plus is being able to get over to the bathroom without having to make a purchase or have staff bother you.

Introduction

Welcome to Poopin' Around Town. This blog is dedicated to bringing critical information to the general public about where to poop. On this site you'll find some real hard hitting information on where it is ok to #2 in public. The focus will be on Boston, MA and the surrounding area though reviews of stalls from around the country will make it on here. Let's face it, everyone runs into that uncomfortable situation and this site can guide you to where to get down to business in the best possible setting. Nothing worse than needing to poop, only to find a bathroom with no lock, or no toilet paper or a toilet that has a weak flush that will leave you in an awkward situation. Simply put, this is your guide to where to and where not to poop.