Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, May 01, 2026

S&S Deli in Cambridge's Inman Square Is Closing

It looks like one of the oldest restaurants in Cambridge is shutting down.

Based on information from a source from earlier this week, S&S Deli in Inman Square is closing, with a Boston Globe article confirming that the Cambridge Street eatery is indeed shutting down in June. In the article, co-owner Gary Mitchell says that "I'm proud of the chapters behind us and looking forward to what's next," while noting that it "has been in my family for 107 years....I understand people may love S&S. It's time to make time for other restaurants, and other things are coming." A message sent to us from Mitchell on Tuesday simply said "Stay tuned!" when asked about the status of the place.

S&S Deli first opened in 1919, being known for its classic deli fare including potato pancakes, corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, chopped liver, cheese blintzes, knockwurst, and more.

The address for S&S Deli is 1334 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.sandsrestaurant.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Viva Burrito in Boston's Fenway Has Closed

A pair of Mexican restaurants in Boston is down to one, as its newer location has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Viva Burrito in the city's Fenway neighborhood has closed, with a sign out front at the Peterborough Street space indicating that it shuttered earlier this week. The sign does indicate that the Franklin Street location in the Financial District will remain open, and that customers can continue to order online.

The Fenway location of Viva Burrito first opened in the spring of 2025, taking over the space where the original location of El Pelon Taqueria had been (El Pelon continues to operate a restaurant on Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton).

The address for the now-closed Viva Burrito in the Fenway is 92 Peterborough Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the business can be found at https://www.vivaburritosboston.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Kawa to Open in the Former Fomu Space in Boston's South End

A new cafe is on its way to Boston, and it will be taking over the space that had been home to a location of a local group of vegan ice cream shops.

According to a post within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Kawa is planning to open on Tremont Street in the South End, moving into the former FoMu space at the corner of W Brookline Street in the South End. The Instagram page for the upcoming spot indicates that it will be a European-style coffee spot/cafe that focuses on using local products, while also having "a friendly and really warm atmosphere."

The South End location of FoMu closed toward the end of last year, while other locations of FoMu in Jamaica Plain, the Seaport District, and Allston have also shut down over the past few years (locations in the Fenway and Quincy Market remaining in operation).

The address for the upcoming Kawa in the South End is 655 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/kawaboston/

[Earlier Article]
FoMu in Boston's South End Has Closed

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen to Open in Cambridge's Central Square

It looks like a new restaurant featuring Chinese fare is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a Bluesky post from troysch1.bsky.social, Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen is planning to open soon on Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square, with a sign out front indicating that it may be featuring soup dumplings. A Cambridge License Commission page mentions that the upcoming dining spot plans to have an inside capacity of 36 and an outside capacity of 24 and with the proposed manager being Yumei Yu, and it looks to be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. No specific opening date has been given as of yet, nor has a menu been seen, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for the upcoming Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen is 411 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Santa Fe Burrito Grill to Open in Stoughton

A growing group of fast-casual Mexican restaurants is opening yet another new location, and this one will be in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is planning to open in Stoughton, with a photo showing a "coming soon" sign out front at the Washington Street space that had previously been home to Sartorio Recipe. Once it opens, the new location will join others in Acton, East Boston, Franklin, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Revere, Rockland, and Weymouth, and it will likely offer such items as burritos, tortas, tacos, nachos, bowls, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill in Stoughton is 577 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. The website for all locations is at https://santafetogo.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Smokey Bones Closes All Locations, Including Taunton and Tyngsboro

All locations of a chain of BBQ spots have closed--including the two remaining locations in Eastern Massachusetts--as the chain has gone out of business.

According to its website, locations of Smokey Bones in Taunton and Tyngsboro are no longer in operation, with both outlets saying that they are closed Monday through Sunday, while a note on the home page says the following about the chain itself:

After 27 incredible years, Smokey Bones has officially closed its doors as of Monday, April 27th. This isn't just the end of a restaurant—it's the closing of a chapter filled with shared meals, celebrations, traditions, and countless memories. From first bites to final toasts, you made this place more than just BBQ—you made it home. We are deeply grateful for every visit, every smile, and every moment you chose to spend with us. Serving this community has been an honor we'll never forget. While the smokers have cooled and the doors are closed, the spirit of what we built together will always stay with us.

An article from the Restaurant Business website says that the now-bankrupt franchising company FAT Brands, which includes Smokey Bones under its umbrella of chains, is having all of its brands being sold except for Smokey Bones, saying that it "will not survive the bankruptcy process."

Smokey Bones, which was originally founded in Florida and became part of FAT Brands in 2023, used to have locations in Peabody and Stoughton as well.

The website for Smokey Bones can be found at https://smokeybones.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)