Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, November 12, 2026

The Redesigned Kowloon in Saugus Is Planning to Include a Drive-Thru Window

The plans for a new, smaller version of a landmark Route 1 restaurant now include a proposal that will add a new takeout option.

According to an article from the Daily Item, the family behind Kowloon has requested permission to include drive-thru windows at both the temporary space for the dining spot in the first building and its permanent space in the second building which would sit where the current Kowloon currently resides, and that once Kowloon moves into its official space in the second building, the drive-thru at the first building would be leased out. Paul Marchionda of land surveying and civil engineering firm Marchionda and Associates indicates that this wouldn't be a simple drive-thru like at a fast-food place, saying that "people don't just drive up and order something. They have to either order online or call ahead and have a specified time to pick up their order."

The article states that the Saugus Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the proposal.

[Earlier Article]
Plans for Kowloon Property in Saugus Indicate Building Being Demolished, Restaurant Moving into Smaller Space

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

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Kupel's Is Opening a New Location in Somerville on November 16

Last spring, it was reported that a decades-old bagel spot in Brookline was planning to expand to a second location, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to an Instagram post from the business, Kupel's in Brookline is opening its new location in Somerville on Monday, November 16, with the post saying the following:

After nearly 50 years in Brookline, we're excited to announce something new! Introducing- Kupel's Bagels, a new neighborhood bagel café coming to Somerville. We're bringing the same freshly baked bagels and homemade cream cheese you've come to know and love, along with an expanded menu of breakfast sandwiches, coffees and more. Our original Kupel's Bakery in Brookline will continue doing what it does best, while Kupel's Bagels in Somerville brings a different take on our family business to a new neighborhood, with the same delicious taste. We're looking forward to becoming part of the Somerville community!

Kupel's first opened its doors on Harvard Street near Coolidge Corner back in 1978.

The address for the new location of Kupel's Bakery in Somerville is 54 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the business is at https://www.kupelsbakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Kupel's Bakery in Brookline May Be Expanding to Somerville

(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.)

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Mayflower Brewing Company to Close Its Plymouth Facility; Beers Will Continue to Be Produced at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis

A South Shore brewery is saying farewell to its home after nearly 20 years in its space, though its beer will continue to be available.

According to its social media, Mayflower Brewing Company is going to be closing its Plymouth facility including its taproom, and while an earlier Plymouth Independent article mentioned that it planned to shutter at the end of the year, an Instagram post from the beermaker indicates that it is hosting a "one last sail" going away party on November 28. The article does mention that Mayflower's beers will continue to be brewed at the Cape Cod Beer facility in Hyannis and that its beer garden at Pinehills in Plymouth will remain in operation--and Mayflower will also be looking for a new home for its taproom.

The Orleans-based Hog Island Beer Company purchased both Mayflower Brewing Company and Cape Cod Beer last year.

The address for the soon-to-close Mayflower facility in Plymouth is 12 Resnik Road #3, Plymouth, MA, 02360. Its website is at https://www.mayflowerbrewing.com/

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[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.)

Xi'an Cool Noodle Opens in Cambridge's Porter Square

A brand new noodle spot has come to Cambridge, opening in a building that had once been home to a bustling food court and which appears to be rebuilding once again.

According to its website, Xi'an Cool Noodle is now open in Porter Square, moving into a space within the Lesley Building that had previously been home to Yume Ga Arukara before it moved to a different space within the building. The new eatery offers authentic hand-pulled cold noodles typically found in the northwest section of China, while a Cambridge Day article states that it also offers Chinese burgers, lamb and hand-torn flatbread in a bone broth, and more.

The area in which Xi'an Cool Noodle has opened used to be known as the Porter Exchange Food Court and had been home to such places as Chocho's, Ittyo, Tampopo, and Sapporo, the last of which can now be found at CambridgeSide.

The address for Xi'an Cool Noodle is 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website can be found at https://www.xiancoolnoodlema.com/

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[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.)

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Senmi Ramen to Open in Cambridge

A brand new Asian restaurant is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a source, a sign is up for Senmi Ramen on Cambridge Street, with the place moving into a storefront about midway between Inman Square and Lechmere Square. An earlier Cambridge License Commission page mentioned that the upcoming dining spot plans to have seating for about 40 people and it looks to be open for lunch and dinner daily. The notice also states that Senmi does not plan to serve alcohol, and Naihai Xu appears to be the manager, saying that she has managed two other restaurants in Quincy and Attleboro.

There is no social media presence for Senmi Ramen as of yet, nor is there a website, so keep checking back for updates as they come in.

The address for the upcoming Senmi Ramen is 620 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02141.

(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.)

Haley House Bakery Cafe Is Reopening in a New Location in Roxbury's Nubian Square Early Next Year

A nonprofit restaurant that suspended operations a few years ago is getting ready to return, and it will be in a brand new home.

According to its website along with an article from the Boston Business Journal, Haley House Bakery Cafe is planning to open back up in January of 2027, moving from its old home on Dade Street in Roxbury's Nubian Square to a nearby space on Washington Street. The new location will be larger than its previous space, being on the ground floor of a mixed-use development and being run by Kate Lord, who had previously been a general manager of Tatte Bakery & Cafe.

Haley House Bakery Cafe first opened in 2005, being known as a place to get healthy food items in a community-oriented space while offering opportunities to those who have limited employment options; it ceased operations in the early part of 2022, though the Dade Street space has continued to be used for training and education programs.

The address for the new location of Haley House Bakery Cafe is 2147 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its web page is at https://haleyhouse.org/hhbc/

(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.)