Peet's Coffee & Tea - Cambridge, MA

Peet's Tea & Coffee - 6.0

Peet's Coffee & Tea is a San Francisco based coffee chain with outlets in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, San Diego and of course, San Francisco. This particular store is located at 100 Mt. Auburn St. in the middle of Harvard Square in Cambridge. For those looking for an alternative to Starbucks and the ability to call your coffee "small", "medium" or "large" this could be the place for you.

Location: Upon entering, head to your left. The bathroom is in the back left corner on the shop. It's pretty easy to find.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Accessibility: There is a sign discouraging those who are not customers from using the restroom. We all know that this sign usually means nothing. During any somewhat busy moment it'll be easy to slip by.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Number of Stalls: The facilities at this joint are all contained in one room. Just one toilet, no other outlets for any needs (unless you count the sink!).
Grade: 4 out of 10


Stall Quality: The room is reasonably spacious and gets the job done. Nothing too interesting to note.
Grade: 5 out of 10




Toiler Paper: There was a ton of toilet paper at Peet's. Seven rolls visible and that doesn't include the close above the toilet. Toilet paper itself was very standard.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Cleanliness: Bathrooms in coffee chains are always high traffic and easy for people to access. Thus, they are not the cleanest. This restrooms was just as I would have expected it. Some paper towels on the floor and general mess. Nothing appalling, though also not something the Shit Critic would deem very clean.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Scent: Was not much of a scent. Perhaps the coffee beans outside neutralize the scent of poop inside. Either way, nothing noteworthy.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Flush: The flush itself was ok. One catch: When you flush the toilet, you have to hold the handle down for an extended period of time.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Aesthetics: When brand new, you can tell that this was a reasonably nice restroom. Over time, there has been typical vandalism (graffiti) along with standard wear and tear. If it had been kept up over time it would have rated higher. The lighting was also a bit poor as a light bulb was out.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Extra Credit:
Light bulb out: -1
Toilet seat covers: +2
Plunger readily available: +1

The Bottom Line: This bathroom is an option and Harvard Square might not be the easiest place to find a bathroom to use. This is centrally located, so take advantage.

Charmin Restrooms - New York, NY

Charmin Restrooms - 10.0


Wow. Talk about a great idea! The Charmin Restrooms are located at 1540 Broadway next to the Virgin Megastore and under the Bertelsmann Building. To sum up, this is Charmin's holiday gift to New York. From our point of view, they knew exactly what to get as a gift!

Location: Once you enter, go up the escalator. At the top, proceed forward and you will be in the area of the restrooms. Sometimes you will have to wait in a line, other times you won't. Since the goal of the establishment is to provide relief for those looking for a restroom, they are pretty easy to find.
Grade: 10 out of 10

Accessibility: Not even close to a concern. You're actually encouraged to come in just to use the facilities!
Grade: 10 out of 10

Number of Stalls: There are 20 individual restrooms to use. The ones that are in use are noted by a blue light above the door. You will be directed by one of the overly enthusiastic staff members as to which restroom will be yours. As well, there are two stalls designated for little ones having a bit of an emergency or those who really have to go (pictured below).
Grade: 10 out of 10





Stall Quality: My restroom (#3) was very nice. All of them are a bit on the small side, but at this place you have nothing to complain about anyway.
Grade: 10 out of 10



Toiler Paper: You want variety? You got it! There are six different types of toilet paper here all fully stocked, so pick any one you'd like. You're the sandpaper type? They're on it. You're the wipe my ass with a piece of silk type? You're covered. Well..... maybe not silk, but you get the drift.
Grade: 10 out of 10



Cleanliness: Completely spotless. One of the aforementioned overly enthusiastic staff members actually makes sure that each restroom is absolutely spotless after each use. So rest assured that you'll be in good hands here.
Grade: 10 out of 10

Scent: Do you think that the good folks at Charmin would let you down at this point? Bathrooms were completely pleasant on this front.
Grade: 10 out of 10

Flush: Good to go!
Grade: 10 out of 10

Aesthetics: My bathroom was great! Some of the restrooms even have theme's like Everybody Loves Raymond. Can you ask for more?
Grade: 10 out of 10

The Bottom Line: It doesn't get better than this. If you're in dire straits and really need to go (there might be a line here, 5-10 minutes?) try to ask if you can use the Gotta Go stall, perhaps you'll get bumped ahead of everyone. Otherwise, this is paradise! The Charmin Restrooms are open 8AM - 11PM Daily until 12/31/2006. Head on over, it is an experience unto itself. This might actually be better than a 10.0!

DeLux - Boston, MA

DeLux - 4.6

DeLux is in Boston's South End, right of Clarendon St. at 100 Chandler. This classy dive is only a few blocks from Copley Square and offers food and cocktails that have no right being as good as they are for the price. Entrees on the ever-changing menu top out at $12, and it's hard to argue DeLux doesn't offer Boston's best Grilled Cheese.

Location: Once inside this narrow space, just head straight to the back past the bar and kitchen. Men's on the left, Lady's on the right. Couldn't be easier.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Accessibility: The only trouble you might encounter would be on a busy night. DeLux is long and slim and the area in front of the bar tends to get crowded. You might have to push through a few groups to get to the back and the bathroom. If it's a quieter time, you'll have no problem walking straight back.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Number of Stalls: The bathroom becomes the stall. The stall becomes the bathroom. This is it. Once you go through that door you're in and you're alone. There is a urinal but it was out of order on this night, covered with a heavy-duty garbage bag. Beware of a wet seat.
Grade: 3 out of 10


Stall Quality: Since the stall is the bathroom, you've got plenty of room to stretch out a bit. Further, the door lock works, so you won't get any uninvited company.
Grade: 6 out of 10


Toiler Paper: There was a fresh roll available during inspection, but it was unprotected and sitting on the toilet tank. This opens up the possibility that others have been handling the paper that you're going to use, or even worse that the roll has been on the floor. We like our TP safely encased behind metallic or plastic, on something we can just give a tug at when we need a few sheets. No good.
Grade: 2 out of 10

Cleanliness: This bathroom is not clean.
Grade: 1 out of 10

Scent: Nothing overwhelming in the olfactory department. That's not to say there was anything particularly good going on either. A little air freshener would have been nice.
Grade: 4 out of 10

Flush: We found a surprising amount of horsepower with this flush. We'd have no hesitations if it came to pulling the trigger on a big load.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Aesthetics: While having nearly every surface in the room covered in amusing graffiti does detract from the overall cleanliness, it also offers plenty of amusing reading material. That's something this critic always cherishes. Add that to the comic book pages used as wallpaper on a few of the walls and we're feeling even better.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Extra Credit:
The sink is located outside of the bathroom, next to the waitress station. -3

The Bottom Line: If you really have to make some room for the meatloaf special, this isn't the worst place to do it. More attention to cleanliness wouldn't be wasted and a toilet paper enclosure would really put us at ease about where that roll has been.

contributed by: Inspecteur de Toilette

T.T. The Bear's Place- Cambridge, MA

T.T. The Bear's Place - 5.0

T.T. The Bear's Place is located at 10 Brookline Street in Central Square in Cambridge. It's a small to mid sized rock venue with live music virtually every night. Shows generally run between $8 - $10.

Location: After going through the front door, the bathrooms will be directly ahead of you about 20 feet. The men's room is on the right and the ladies room on the left. Very centrally located within the venue.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Accessibility: While it does not say it on their website, the Shit Critic believes that T.T.'s is 18+ on some nights and 21+ on others. You'll definitely have to show an ID at the door and if there is a show, pay to get in.
Grade: 2 out of 10

Number of Stalls: There is one stall at T.T.'s with a urinal next to it for those who have needs not as urgent as yours. There is usually a lot of traffic in and out of the bathroom with everyone drinking and all, so sometimes people will use the stall for good ole #1. That isn't ideal.
Grade: 3 out of 10


Stall Quality: The stall is reasonably spacious but otherwise very simple and standard.
Grade: 5 out of 10




Toiler Paper: They have the big industrial rolls here, so running out is seldom and issue. As you can see in the picture above, folks seem to want to write on the toilet paper, but never seem to break through. Oh, those crazy kids.
Grade: 7 out of 10

Cleanliness: When the Shit Critic stopped by earlier this week, the bathroom was surprisingly clean. Only one paper towel on the floor and otherwise looking damn good for a rock club.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Scent: They had just painted the bathroom with a fresh coat of brown paint, so that was the dominant scent on this night.
Grade: 6 out of 10

Flush: This flush was a bit weak and leaves room for some concern as to whether the toilet can handle some serious action. As well, be sure to go reasonably light on the toilet paper.
Grade: 3 out of 10

Aesthetics: Well, they did just put a fresh coat of paint up on the walls, so at least they care a bit. Otherwise, it's a pretty bland and uninteresting rock club, but that's better than the alternative, no?
Grade: 5 out of 10

Extra Credit:
Paper towels not in dispenser: -1
Paper towels not in dispenser and on wet sink area: -2

The Bottom Line: All in all, the bathroom isn't too bad, though it certainly has a few obstacles to a passerby. Specifically, it might cost some money to get in and it's possible that there will be a bit of a line. The venue seems to give half of a poop about how the bathroom so there is a chance it might be in decent shape if you can get to it.

Marriott Courtyard - Boston, MA

Marriott Courtyard - 7.8

This Marriott Courtyard is located at 275 Tremont St in the Theater District. It is across the street from the Wang Theatre and above The Roxy.

Location: As soon as you go through the door, the reception desk will be off to your left. Head past the reception desk and turn right after the mini convenience store. The restrooms will be up ahead on the left. There were no signs for the restroom that I noticed, but was able to find it relatively easy anyway.
Grade: 5 out of 10

Accessibility: I had no problem walking right by the reception desk at a pretty slow time. Perhaps someone would stop you, but I don't see it as an issue.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Number of Stalls: There are three stalls here including one of the biggest I've seen in Boston. It's larger than my freshman year dorm room. Outside of the ginormous handicapped stall (....then you wait...), there are two regular sized stalls.
Grade: 9 out of 10




Stall Quality: The stalls here were nice. The normal stalls were pretty run of the mill, but the large handicapped stall was something to write home about if you like having your space.
Grade: 8 out of 10


Toiler Paper: Toilet paper was plentiful and two ply. Each stall had two rolls and were not close to finished. Not to be picky, but it would have been nice if there was something covering the TP as opposed to having it exposed to the elements.
Grade: 8 out of 10

Cleanliness: Bathroom was very clean, that's one of the best parts of using hotels when poopin' around town. They almost always come through on that front.
Grade: 9 out of 10

Scent: I didn't pick up on any sort of scent here, good to go!
Grade: 7 out of 10

Flush: The flush was pretty nice and triggered by a motion sensor, so no need to touch some dirty metallic handle with condensation all over it. That is condensation, isn't it?
Grade: 8 out of 10

Aesthetics: This bathroom is what you'd expect at a nice hotel. Bathroom was modern and the colors were the typical bland beige. While it was boring, it was a nice bathroom. Sure there could have been a flat screen in the stall or a nice fellow there to give me a mint or sell me aspirin, but that would be going above and beyond the call of duty. This was a comfortable bathroom.
Grade: 8 out of 10

The Bottom Line: Tip: Hotel bathrooms are gold. If that is an option for you while you are out around town, consider it. A doorman could be an obstacle, but otherwise you could be in a bathroom nicer than your home turf. This was no exception. This is one of the best bathrooms reviewed on Poopin' Around Town to date.