The Halal Guys to Open in Newton

A growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City will be opening yet another location in the local area, and this one will be in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from the business, The Halal Guys is planning to open in Newton, moving into a space on Needham Street just south of where it meets Dedham Street and Winchester Street (a short distance south of Route 9). Once it opens, the new location will join others in Boston's Theater District, the Fenway, South Bay, Porter Square in Cambridge, and further out, in Shrewsbury--and other locations are being planned for downtown Boston and Dedham as well.

The Halal Guys started out in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan and today offers such options as chicken and rice, gyros, falafel, hummus, baklava, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of The Halal Guys in Newton is 55 Needham Street, Newton, MA, 02461. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.com/

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

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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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Rapscallion Brick Oven Pizza and Brewery Opens in the Former Spicket River Brewery Space in Lawrence

A brewery based in Central Massachusetts that has a restaurant northwest of Boston now has a new location north of the city, and this one is in an historic space that had previously been home to another brewery.

According to a source, Rapscallion Brick Oven Pizza and Brewery is now open in Lawrence, taking over the former Spicket River Brewery space on Island Street in an old mill complex between the Merrimack River and the North Canal within the North Canal Historic District. The new location joins another in Acton while its brewery can be found in Spencer and a pub is also located in Sturbridge, and the website for the business says that the new space includes a barroom, performance space, and an outdoor seating area during the warmer months, with its menu featuring pizza, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Spicket River Brewery announced its closure early this year, saying at the time that it was hoping to relocate at some point.

The address for the new Rapscallion Brick Oven Pizza and Brewery in Lawrence is 56 Island Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840. The website for Rapscallion is at https://visitrapscallion.com/

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

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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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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.)

News Elsewhere: Modern Diner in Pawtucket, RI, Is Up for Sale

An historic diner near the RI/MA border is on the market.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt) Modern Diner in Pawtucket is for sale, with a Facebook post from the East Avenue spot saying the following:

After four decades serving our community, our family has made the bittersweet decision to put Modern Diner up for sale as we prepare for retirement. This diner is more than just a restaurant — it's been our home, our passion, and a gathering place for generations of friends, families, and neighbors....What's next? Nothing changes for now! The diner will continue to operate just as it always has — with the same familiar faces and menu you've come to love.

Modern Diner, which was the first diner in the United States to go on the National Register for Historic Places, has received much in the way of praise and accolades over the years, including the Food Network including them among the top 5 diners in the U.S. for its custard French toast.

The address for Modern Diner is 364 East Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, 02860.

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

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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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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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending July 6, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between June 30, 2025, and July 6, 2025.

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Lanner Noodles & Bar in Cambridge's Central Square to Expand, Opening in Boston's Seaport District
A Chinese restaurant in Cambridge that features noodle dishes is expanding to the Boston waterfront.
Full Story

Taqueria Jalisco Opens in East Boston's Orient Heights Neighborhood
A Mexican restaurant in East Boston now has a second location not too far away.
Full Story

Salsa Shack Opens at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton
A new place for tacos has debuted within a marketplace across from the Charles River.
Full Story

Pressed Cafe Opens in Boston's Seaport District
A local group of dining spots that focus on healthy, freshly-made options has expanded to the Boston waterfront.
Full Story

Rabia's Dolce Fumo in Boston's North End Has Closed
A North End restaurant that was known in part for its seafood has shut down.
Full Story

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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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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.)

 

Lanner Noodles & Bar in Cambridge's Central Square to Expand, Opening in Boston's Seaport District

A Chinese restaurant in Cambridge that features noodle dishes is expanding to the Boston waterfront.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, signs are up for Lanner Noodles & Bar in the Seaport District, with the restaurant moving into a space in Seaport Square. An earlier Boston Uncovered article also mentioned this, saying that the new location will debut sometime this year.

Based on the Pearl Street location in Cambridge, expect to see Lanzhou beef noodle soup, a dish commonly found in the northwest part of China which has hand-pulled noodles, while stir-fried noodles, noodle bowls, and various hot and cold small plates along with larger meals could be offered as well.

The website for Lanner Noodles & Bar can be found at https://www.lannernoodles.com/

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

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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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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.)

Taqueria Jalisco Opens in East Boston's Orient Heights Neighborhood

Last summer, it was reported that a Mexican restaurant in East Boston was planning to open a second location not too far away, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Taqueria Jalisco is now open in Orient Heights in Eastie, moving into the former Donna's space on Saratoga Street and joining its existing location on Bennington Street in Day Square. The post mentions that the new location has a full liquor license and it also has "a lot" more seating for dining in, and it also has an expanded menu. (Its Instagram page states that the new outlet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.)

The address for the new location of Taqueria Jalisco in Orient Heights is 980 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. The Instagram page for both locations can be found at https://www.instagram.com/taqueriajaliscoeb/

[Earlier Article]
Taqueria Jalisco Plans to Expand to Second Location in Orient Heights in East Boston

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

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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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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.)