Cava Opens in Braintree

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots was planning to expand to a new location south of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to its website, Cava is now open in Braintree, moving into a space on Union Street that had once been the site of a Motel 6. The new location joins others locally in Beverly, Boston, Burlington, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Chestnut Hill, Dedham, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, Lynnfield, Mansfield, North Andover, and Woburn, and like the others, it offers a variety of bowls, salads, and pitas. 

The address for the new location of Cava in Braintree is 125 Union Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for all locations can be found at https://cava.com/

[Earlier Article]
Cava May Be Opening a Location in Braintree

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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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El Sarape in Weymouth Landing Is Closing

An award-winning Mexican restaurant that has been around for a long time is shutting down.

According to a source, El Sarape in Weymouth Landing is closing, with a Facebook post from the Commercial Street spot saying the following:

It is with a heavy heart, after 37 wonderful years serving the town of Braintree and our many dedicated and supportive customers, the Adame family has made the tough decision to close El Sarape. Next Saturday, April 4 will be the last day El Sarape's doors will be open. This decision was not easily made, however it is necessary. The Adame family, Javier, Guillermo, Donna, Nicole Jessica, Miguel and our staff would like to thank all of our customers, new and old for their patronage....We appreciate each and every one of you more than you will ever know. El sarape has always been and will always be a family

El Sarape has received high praise over the years, including once being picked by USA Today and Zagat in an article mentioning the restaurants with the best Mexican food in 20 cities while The Daily Meal also once wrote that it was among the 50 best Mexican restaurants in America.

The address El Sarape for is 5 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website can be found at https://elsarape.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]

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Leo's Events and Restaurant Officially Opens in Braintree

The restaurant part of a dining and function space in the southern suburbs of Boston has debuted.

A check on the space this past weekend along with a Facebook post from the business indicates that Leo's Events and Restaurant is now fully open, with the Facebook post from Sunday saying the following:

Today's the day! Leo's Restaurant officially opens its doors at 4PM. We're so excited to welcome everyone in to experience our new space, great food, drinks, and hospitality. Come join us tonight in Braintree — we can't wait to see you!

Leo's Events and Restaurant, which moves into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street, is run by Leo Keka (Alba, Scutari, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar); the functions/events part of the business debuted last summer.

The address for Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572606675228 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/leoseventsandrestaurant/

[Earlier Article]
Leo's Events and Restaurant Plans to Open in Braintree

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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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Liberty at the Landing Tavern & Restaurant Is Replacing Uno Mas Taco & Tequila in Weymouth Landing

A Mexican taco and tequila bar on the South Shore has shuttered, and a new spot under the same ownership is replacing it.

According to a source, Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar in the Braintree section of Weymouth Landing is closed, with a Facebook post from the Commercial Street spot saying that they have taken a "holiday break" and that they will be opening with a new concept in the new year. We have since learned that the new place will be called Liberty at the Landing Tavern & Restaurant (the people involved also run Liberty Tavern in Quincy Center). 

Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar first opened in the fall of 2024, taking over the former Rivershed space.

The address for the now-closed Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar (and upcoming Liberty at the Landing Tavern & Restaurant) in Weymouth Landing is 35 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for https://www.libertyatthelanding.com/

February 26 update: Both a source and a check on the place indicate that Liberty at the Landing Tavern & Restaurant is now open in Weymouth Landing.]

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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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Update: Locations of Uno Pizzeria and Grill in Braintree, Dedham, and Revere Are Closing January 11

It looks like a Boston-based group of deep-dish pizza spots is shrinking further and will now have no presence in the local area.

According to multiple sources along with email notices from the company, Uno Pizzeria and Grill in Braintree and Dedham are closing, with the emails for each saying "It's with sadness that we write to let you know that our Uno Pizzeria & Grill in [Braintree and Dedham] will be closing its doors for the last time on Sunday, January 11." Subsequently, multiple other sources (along with another email notice) confirm that the Revere location is closing January 11 as well.

With the closing of these three locations, there are no longer any Uno outlets in the Greater Boston area, with the closest ones being in Attleboro, Bellingham, and Worcester.

There had once been many more locations of the chain locally, including in Boston's Back Bay, Fenway, and Symphony area along with Allston, Cambridge's Harvard Square and Porter Square, Burlington, Framingham, Newton Corner, Swampscott, Waltham, and Woburn. The website for Uno can be found at https://www.unos.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]

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Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Braintree Has Closed

A suburban location of a local group of upscale Italian steakhouses has shut down.

According to a source, Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Braintree is no longer in business, with a check on the locations page of its website confirming this as the restaurant--which was located at South Shore Plaza--has been removed from the site. Other locations in the region remain open, including at Park Square in Boston, the Seaport District, Logan Airport, Chestnut Hill, Foxboro, and Lynnfield.

The Braintree location of Davio's first opened in 2017.

The address for Davio's in Braintree was 250 Granite Street (South Shore Plaza), Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for all locations can be found at https://davios.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]

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Jozour Cafe Opens in Braintree

A brand new cafe has debuted in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Jozour Cafe is now open in Braintree, moving into a space on Washington Street on the southern edge of Braintree Square (a short distance south of the Route 3 intersection). The new spot offers pastries, baked goods, coffee, matcha, and more, with its website saying that it will be posting a full menu soon.

The address for Jozour Cafe is 391 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website can be found at https://www.jozourcafe.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/jozourcafe

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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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Mona Opens in South Braintree Square

Earlier this year, it was reported that a new dining spot was on its way to a southern suburb of Boston, and it now we have learned that it is open.

According to several sources, Mona is now open in Braintree, and as mentioned in an earlier article, it has moved into the storefront on Washington Street in South Braintree Square where Loco's had once been. The new eatery focuses on Mediterranean fare, including such items as bowls, pitas, Greek fries and falafel bites

The address for Mona is 913 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website is at https://monakitchen.com/

[Earlier Article]
Mona Plans to Open in the Former Loco's Space in South Braintree Square

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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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Noah's BBQ Opens in Braintree

A new barbecue spot has opened south of Boston.

According to a source, Noah's BBQ is now open in Braintree, moving into a space (with its own entrance) at the South Shore Plaza. The new restaurant, which has an ownership connection to Birdies Hot Chicken in Brockton, Westwood, and Boston, offers such options as brisket, ribs, wings, pulled pork, sausage, and macaroni and cheese.

The Instagram page for Noah's BBQ can be found at https://www.instagram.com/noahs_bbq/

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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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Tavern in the Square Is Opening in Braintree

It looks like a local group of dining and drinking spots will be opening a new location in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to its website, Tavern in the Square is planning to open in Braintree, and while an address isn't listed within the site, there is some chatter on social media that it will be moving into the former TGI Fridays space on Forbes Road across the street from South Shore Plaza. Once it opens, the new location will join others in North Station and South Station in Boston along with Burlington, Dedham, Littleton, Lowell, Shrewsbury, Tyngsborough, Weymouth, Woburn, and Wrentham.

The website for Tavern in the Square can be found at https://www.taverninthesquare.com/

[September 18 update: According to a source, Tavern in the Square in Braintree is now open, and it has indeed moved into the old TGI Fridays space on Forbes Road.]

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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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Bertucci's Declares Bankruptcy Yet Again, Closes Locations in Braintree, Mansfield, North Andover, Norwood, and Plymouth

A local chain of Italian restaurants has declared bankruptcy once again, and with it, at least five more locations in the region have closed.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via the nrn.com website), Bertucci's has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, while also saying that outlets in Braintree, Mansfield, and North Andover have shuttered (we also learned that the Norwood and Plymouth locations closed as well), and this has all been confirmed on the chain's website (all five have been removed from the locations section). The closing of these three Bertucci's means that the only ones left inside Route 495 are in West Roxbury, Newton, Medford, Waltham, Reading, Hingham, Chelmsford, and Framingham.)

As mentioned in an article here, Bertucci's--which had also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018 and again in 2022--debuted a new quick-service concept called Bertucci's Pronto in downtown Boston this week.

The website for Bertucci's is at https://www.bertuccis.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]

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Shake Shack May Be Opening in Braintree

Last month, it was reported that a chain of restaurants could be expanding to a space just off Route 3 on the South Shore, and now we have learned that another chain may be expanding there as well.

According to an article from the Patriot Ledger, Shake Shack is looking to open a new location in Braintree, moving into the site on Union Street that had once been home to a Motel 6. These plans appear to be in their early stages, but if it happens, the dining spot could be joining an outlet of Cava at the site as well, though plans for that restaurant are also in their early stages as well.

Currently, the only other South Shore location of Shake Shack is at the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham (this outlet is also just off Route 3).

The address for the proposed location of Shake Shack in Braintree is 125 Union Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the chain is at https://shakeshack.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]

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Famous Pizza Opens in the Former Double G's Pizzeria Space in Braintree

A new pizza spot has come to the southern suburbs of Boston, moving into the space where another pizza place and sub shop had been for more than 60 years.

According to a source, Famous Pizza is now open in Braintree, taking over the former Double G's Pizzeria space on Grove Street. A check on the website for the business indicates that this is the third location of the eatery, with others being found in Brockton and Warwick, RI, and all spots offer pizza, calzones, salads, grinders/subs, grill items, pasta, and more.

Double G's dated back to 1960, offering such options as pizza, steak bombs, wings, burgers, and pasta dishes.

The address for Famous Pizza in Braintree is 303 Grove Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for all locations is at https://thefamouspizza.com/

[Earlier Article]
Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree Has Closed

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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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Cava May Be Opening a Location in Braintree

A Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots is looking to expand even further into the Greater Boston area, with another one proposed for a location just off Route 3 south of the city.

According to multiple sources along with an article from the Patriot Ledger, Cava is hoping to open a new outlet in Braintree, moving into the site on Union Street that had once been home to a Motel 6. The plans are in their very early stages as the company has signed a letter of intent for the dining spot to be part of redevelopment plans for the site, so a number of steps need to be taken before it can become reality.

Cava has opened a number of locations locally over the past few years, including ones in Boston, Cambridge, Dedham, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, and Mansfield, along with a brand new one in Chelmsford. (Its first Boston-area location debuted in the Fenway in early 2018.)

The address for the proposed location of Cava in Braintree is 125 Union Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for all locations is at https://cava.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]

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Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree Has Closed

A pizza place and sub shop in the southern suburbs of Boston that had been around for more than 60 years has shut down.

According to multiple sources along with an article from MassLive, Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree is no longer in business, with the article saying that the lease for the Grove Street eatery was not being renewed. Double G's, which first opened in 1960, was known in part for its pizza while also being a popular spot for steak bombs, wings, burgers, and pasta dishes as well.

The address for the now-closed Double G's Pizzeria was 303 Grove Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

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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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Leo's Events and Restaurant Plans to Open in Braintree

A year and a half ago, it was reported that the person behind a couple of steakhouses and an Italian dining and drinking spot south of Boston was planning to open another restaurant south of the city, and now we have learned that the place is opening soon, though with a different name and concept.

According to a source along with various social media posts from the business, Leo's Events and Restaurant is going to be opening in Braintree, with its social media mentioning "Braintree's premier destination for exceptional dining and unforgettable gatherings. Elegant spaces, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality await!" Owner Leo Keka (Alba in Quincy and Hanover, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar in Quincy) was originally planning for the place to be one of two locations of Scutari, a Northern Italian restaurant that is now open in Hanover, though it appears that somewhere along the way, the plans for the Braintree space (which is moving into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street) shifted from Scutari to Leo's Events and Restaurant.

The address for Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572606675228 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/leoseventsandrestaurant/

[July 9 update: According to its social media, Leo's Events and Restaurant is now at least partially open, saying that "our stunning new function space is open— Now booking for private events, celebrations, and corporate gatherings." (It isn't yet known if the restaurant part of the space is open.)]

[Earlier Article]
Leo Keka Plans to Open Scutari in Braintree

(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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Mona Plans to Open in the Former Loco's Space in South Braintree Square

A new dining spot is on its way to a southern suburb of Boston, and it will be replacing a now-closed Mexican eatery.

A check on the space indicates that Mona is planning to open in Braintree, moving into the storefront on Washington Street in South Braintree Square that had been home to Loco's. A sign out front indicates that Mona is looking to offer bowls, pitas, and more, while its website (which appears to be under construction) says the same thing. The website mentions that the new restaurant plans to open sometime in the spring.

Loco's was known mostly for its burritos, while also offering tacos, quesadillas, nachos, bowls, and wraps; the restaurant closed in the spring of 2023.

The address for the upcoming Mona is 913 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website will be at https://monakitchen.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]

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TGI Fridays in Braintree Has Closed

A restaurant chain that shut down multiple locations in Massachusetts early last year has closed another in the local area, and it now has only three locations remaining inside Route 495.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, TGI Fridays in Braintree is no longer in business, as the Forbes Road dining spot shut down early this week. With the closings of outlets in Dedham, Mansfield, Marlborough, North Attleborough, and Seekonk in January of 2024 (and one in North Dartmouth that closed in the fall), the only locations left in Massachusetts are in Boston, Everett, and Stoughton along with two a bit further outside of the Greater Boston area in Methuen and Millbury.

The address for the now-closed TGI Fridays in Braintree was 60 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the chain is at https://tgifridays.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]

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Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar Opens in the Former Rivershed Space in Weymouth Landing

Earlier this year, it was reported that a location of a pair of Southern-style restaurants had closed and the people behind a nearby dining spot were hoping to open a new restaurant in its space. Now we have learned that this has indeed happened, though with a different name than originally thought.

A check on the space last weekend confirms what a source told us, that Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar is now open in Weymouth Landing, moving into the former Rivershed space on Commercial Street. An earlier article here had mentioned that the people behind Liberty Tavern in Quincy were looking to open a spot tentatively called Tres Burros there, though the name changed to Uno Mas at some point in the process (What Now Boston first wrote about it being called Uno Mas last month). 

Rivershed first opened in Weymouth Landing in 2020, joining its original location in Scituate which remains in operation.

The address for Uno Mas Taco & Tequila Bar in Weymouth Landing is 35 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website can be found at https://www.unomasbraintree.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rivershed in Weymouth Landing Has Closed; Tres Burros Hopes to Open in 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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Ganko Ittetsu Ramen Opens in Braintree

Last summer, it was reported that an award-winning ramen spot west of Boston was planning to open a new location south of the city, and now we have learned that it is in the process of getting up and running.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Ganko Ittetsu Ramen has soft-opened in Braintree, moving into a space Quincy Avenue and joining its existing location in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline. The post mentions that the new outlet currently has limited hours and a limited menu, and it was open for dinner only as of last night; as soon as we hear about when they look to fully open, we will post an update here.

Another location of Ganko had been in Providence, but that one is no longer in operation.

The address for the new location of Ganko Ittetsu Ramen in Braintree is 224 Quincy Avenue, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the business is at https://gankoramen.com/

[Earlier Article]
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen Plans to Open in Braintree

(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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