Zinneken's to Expand, Opening a New Location in Downtown Boston

A group of bakery-cafes known for their Belgian waffles will be expanding to a new location, and this one should be popular with college students.

According to a message sent from Adam Castiglioni of @conciergeboston.bsky.social along with an article from What Now Boston, Zinneken's is planning to open by Boston Common and Emerson College, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

hey boston we've got something really sweet coming your way… Zinneken's Waffles is popping up at Boston Common think: warm, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside Belgian waffles plus coffee  + ice cream  to keep you going (or treat yourself… no judgment) 

What Now says that the new location in Boston plans to open in the winter of 2027, with another in Amherst also coming (and that one could open this fall); both outlets will join the original location in Cambridge's Harvard Square along with others Providence and Glastonbury, CT (a food truck is also part of the business as well).

The address for the upcoming location of Zinneken's in downtown Boston is 98A Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the business is at http://zinnekenswaffles.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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Burg & Shaw Plans to Open in Downtown Boston

An unusual type of fusion restaurant may be on its way to the heart of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page, Burg & Shaw is looking to open on Boylston Street, with the address indicating that it would be moving into a space near the Tremont Street intersection and across from Boston Common. The notice states that the eatery would be takeout-only, while Boston Uncovered says that it will feature both burgers and shawarma. (It isn't yet known what else might be on its menu, but more should be known after the hearing this week.)

The address for the proposed Burg & Shaw is 80 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

(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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Flour Bakery Opens at Boston Common

A local group of bakery-cafes has opened a new location, and this one resides in a former comfort station that was built approximately 100 years ago.

According to their Instagram page, Flour Bakery is now open on Boston Common, taking over the space that had previously been home to a location of Earl of Sandwich. The new outlet offers baked goods, pastries, hot dogs, soft serve, coffee, and more, and it is currently open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM, though the closing time could change as the days get longer.

The space in which the new location of Flour has moved into had once been a public bathroom known as the Pink Palace for its pink-colored masonry.

The website for Flour is at https://flourbakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Flour Bakery to Replace Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common

(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.)

Flour Bakery to Replace Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common

A few months ago, it was reported that the sole Boston location of a chain of sandwich shops that resided in a former comfort station was closing, and now we have learned that a popular local group of bakery-cafes will be expanding into the space.

According to an X post from Nik DeCosta-Klipa of WBUR, Flour Bakery is going to be replacing Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common, with the post including the official announcement coming from Mayor Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. The post mentions that if all goes as planned, Flour could be opening in the space (which had once been a public bathroom known as the Pink Palace for its pink-colored masonry) in the spring of 2025 once renovations are complete.

Other locations of Flour--which is run by Joanne Chang--can be found in the South End, Beacon Hill/West End, Seaport District, Fort Point, the Back Bay (2), Cambridge's Harvard Square, Central Square, and Cambridgeport. The website for all locations is at https://flourbakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common Is Closing

(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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Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common Is Closing

The sole Boston location of a chain of sandwich shops that resides in a former comfort station is closing.

According to a message sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub (via an article from CommonWealth Beacon), Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common is getting ready to shut down, as the eatery--which has lost more than $2 million since opening 11 years ago--has been given approval by the city to end its 15-year lease four years early. The article mentions that the city will seek a new tenant this fall for the structure, which used to be a public bathroom known as the Pink Palace for its pink-colored masonry, and the city is also open to the possibility of a tenant with a beer and wine license.

There had also been an Earl of Sandwich at Logan Airport in East Boston as well, but it closed a number of years ago. 

(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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Colette Lounge Opens within Shaking Crab in Downtown Boston

A brand new lounge has come to the heart of Boston, and it is located within a Cajun seafood restaurant.

Eater Boston is reporting (via boston.com) that Colette Lounge is now open on the ground floor of the Boylston Street location of Shaking Crab by Boston Common, with the drinking spot offering small plates such as shrimp ceviche and catfish bites along with cocktails that have New Orleans influences. The lounge is open Thursday through Sunday evenings, according to Eater.

The downtown Boston location of Shaking Crab first opened in early 2018 in the former Troquet space (Troquet moved to South Street in the Leather District). Other locations of Shaking Crab can be found in Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, and Quincy.

The address for Colette Lounge (and Shaking Crab) in downtown Boston is 140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The Instagram page for the lounge can be found at https://www.instagram.com/colettelounge/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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Bakey Is Opening in Downtown Boston

A well-known Israeli baker will soon be opening a brand new spot in the heart of Boston.

According to an article in the Boston Globe, Uri Scheft is opening Bakey on Tremont Street across from Boston Common, with the cafe offering fresh breads, buns, burekas, and babkas along with coffee from the Seattle-based Caffe Umbria. Scheft is known in part for being behind Lehamim Bakery in Israel and Breads Bakery in New York City while also writing "Breaking Breads," a cookbook that focuses on Israeli breads and baking.

If all goes as planned, Bakey plans to open sometime this month.

The address for Bakey is 151 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

[September 14 update: A tweet from @DTownBostonBID indicates that Bakey opened its doors in downtown Boston today.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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.)

Rebel's Guild Is Opening in Former Emerald Lounge Space in Revere Hotel

by Marc Hurwitz

Last fall, we reported that a hotel bar and nightclub near Boston Common was closing and would be replaced by a new restaurant. Now we have learned what is moving into the space.

According to the Tables section of The Boston Globe, Rebel's Guild is opening within the Revere Hotel, with a message sent to us confirming that it would indeed be the new spot that is taking over the former Emerald Lounge space. The Globe post mentions that the place will offer such items as Yankee pot roast, deviled eggs with lobster, turkey pot pie, smoked duck crostini, and lobster fritters with honey butter, while our earlier article said that the restaurant would be "an iconic destination inspired by the city of Boston's rich history and innovative spirit."

If all goes as planned, Rebel's Guild will open sometime in April.

The address for the new Rebel's Guild (and the Revere Hotel) is 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the hotel can be found at https://www.reverehotel.com/

[April 18 update: Eater Boston states that Rebel's Guild opens today, and that it features a Revolutionary War theme that includes a "sizable cannon" inside the dining area.]

[Earlier Article]
Emerald Lounge in the Revere Hotel Is Closing

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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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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Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes Is Opening in Ziti's Italian Express Location in Downtown Boston

A small but growing Texas-based burger chain is going to be opening its second location in Boston--and this one will replace an Italian eatery in the downtown area.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is planning to open on Tremont Street (across from Boston Common) in the Ziti's Italian Express space, with the locations page on the chain's website confirming that it is indeed "coming soon." Once it opens, the new location of Mooyah will join another spot on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain as well as others in Billerica and Northborough. (Another outlet on the Hudson/Berlin line will also be opening at some point. [Ed note--now open.])

In late 2015, we had mentioned that Mooyah was planning to open approximately 20 locations in the Greater Boston area over the next several years, though it is not known if these plans are still in place.

Ziti's Italian Express first opened in March of 2015, replacing an outlet of UBurger.

The address for this new burger spot in downtown Boston is: Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes, 140 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.mooyah.com/

[December 21 update: Eater Boston states that Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is now open in downtown Boston.]

[December 26 update: QSR mentions that this is only a soft opening of Mooyah in downtown Boston, with a grand opening taking place over the coming weeks.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Jimmy John's to Open inside City Place in Downtown Boston

An Illinois-based chain of gourmet sandwich shops is expanding into the Boston area once again, and this time it is looking to open a location near Boston Common.

According to a Twitter post from @DGoodison of The Boston Herald, Jimmy John's is planning on opening in City Place within the State Transportation Building where Charles Street South and Stuart Street meet. If it gets approval from the city to open, the new shop will join others in South Boston, Park Drive in the Audubon Circle area, Valenti Way by North Station, Western Avenue in Allston-Brighton, and South Braintree.

John's opened its first shop in Charleston, IL in 1983 and now has more than 2,000 locations across the United States.

The address for this upcoming sandwich shop in Boston is: Jimmy John's, 12 Charles Street South, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.jimmyjohns.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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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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Bento Express Moves into Former Beijing on the Common Space in Downtown Boston

A new quick-service Japanese restaurant has come to downtown Boston, with the eatery moving into the space where a Chinese dining spot had been.

Food writer MC Slim JB posts on the Chowhound site that Bento Express is now open on Boylston Street across from Boston Common. The new place, which resides in the spot where Beijing on the Common had been until closing last summer, offers bento boxes as well snacks, sushi, and rice and noodle dishes (including ramen and udon plates). MC mentions that Bento Express has counter service and a "fair" amount of seating inside.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in downtown Boston is: Bento Express, 62 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116.


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Clover PRK Comes to Boston Common

The folks behind several vegetarian food trucks in the Boston area--as well as a couple of brick-and-mortar restaurants--have just brought a food truck to one of the busiest sections of the city.

According to their website, Clover PRK is now up and running on Boston Common near the corner of Tremont Street and Park Street. This location for the Clover Food Lab's latest truck coincides with what John Goodman PR states is a restoration of the Brewer Fountain Plaza, which, when finished (a celebration of its completion will take place on May 2), will feature an outdoor "reading room," live piano, tables and chairs, umbrellas, board games, and Wi-Fi.

The Clover PRK truck will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM seven days a week.

For more information on the Clover Food Lab, please go to their website at http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

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Earl of Sandwich Opening at Boston Common

A small chain of sandwich shops with one location in Boston is planning to open another in the city, with this one being in a structure that used to be a public bathroom.

According to The Boston Herald, the Earl of Sandwich is going to open on Boston Common in the former rest room that faces Tremont Street. The Herald mentions that the building, which was constructed nearly 90 years ago, will be leased to the chain, which currently operates another restaurant at Logan Airport as well as 12 others around the country.

The Earl of Sandwich features hot sandwiches (including their signature sandwich--roast beef, cheese, and horseradish), salads, tomato soup, kettle-cooked chips, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and smoothies. Breakfast is also offered, with the focus being on hot breakfast sandwiches.

Expect a late 2011 or early 2012 opening for the new location of the Earl of Sandwich.

[August 31 update: According to The Boston Globe, Mayor Thomas M. Menino has signed a lease allowing the Earl of Sandwich to open at Boston Common. The sandwich shop, which will be open annually from at least April 15 through October 31, could be open for business by the spring of 2012.]

[September 24, 2012 update: The Boston Herald states that the Earl of Sandwich is looking at an October opening. (Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.)]

[September 24, 2012 update #2: Eater Boston reports (via the Herald) that not only will the Earl of Sandwich be opening at Boston Common in October, but there might also be more locations coming to the area, as the folks behind the chain have been scouting out other spaces, including along the Mass. Pike. (It appears that there could be at least four or five Earl of Sandwich outlets on the way to the Boston area at some point.)]

[November 9, 2012 update: The Beacon Hill Patch mentions that  the Earl of Sandwich plans to open on Monday (November 12). Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for letting us know about this.]

The chain's website can be found at: http://www.earlofsandwichusa.com/

For more information on the opening of the Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common, please go to the Boston Herald link below.

Sandwich shop coming to Boston Common's Pink Palace

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