Hooters in Dedham and Saugus Have Closed

A restaurant chain has disappeared from the local landscape, closing its two locations in the Greater Boston area while also saying farewell to Massachusetts as well.

According to multiple sources over the past couple of days, locations of Hooters in Dedham and Saugus are no longer in business, with signs up out front at the two dining spots thanking diners, workers, and the communities for their support over the years. (We reached out to the chain yesterday morning for more information but have not yet heard back from them.) Another location in West Springfield also shuttered this week, and an outlet in Shrewsbury had closed last month; all were franchised locations of the chain, which was established in Florida in 1983. 

The website for Hooters can be found at https://www.hooters.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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First Watch Plans to Open in Dedham and Swampscott

A Florida-based chain of breakfast and lunch spots is further expanding into the local area, with two new ones planned for the suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, First Watch is looking to open in Dedham, with an earlier Patch article confirming this while also saying that another location is on its way to Swampscott as well. Our source tells us that the Dedham location will be coming to Dedham Plaza on Providence Highway while the Patch article indicates that the Swampscott outlet will be coming to Vinnin Square. The news of these two locations planning to open in the region come on the heels of news published here last month of a Woburn location also being in the works, with all three joining existing locations in the Back Bay of Boston and Hanover (another in Attleboro is also on its way).

First Watch was established in Pacific Grove, CA, in 1983, moving its headquarters to Bradenton, FL, three years later. Its website can be found at https://firstwatch.com/

[Earlier Article]
First Watch May Be Opening in the Former On the Border Space in Woburn

(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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Shkodra Byrek Is Opening in Dedham

A new restaurant that features a cuisine not commonly found in the region will soon be opening just southwest of Boston.

According to its website, Shkodra Byrek is planning to open in Dedham, moving into a space on Washington Street on the northern edge of Dedham Square. The website and social media for the place indicate that the dining spot will be offering Albanian dishes (along with other Mediterranean fare), including such options as tripe soup, stuffed cabbage, cheese and yogurt pie, beef and onion pie, baked meat dumplings, skillet corn bread, layered pancakes, sausage, grilled octopus, smoked trout, baked lamb, grilled kebabs, pasta, and more.

The address for Shkodra Byrek is 338 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website can be found at https://shkodrabyrek.com/

[May 28 update: According to a press release, Shkodra Byrek is now open.]

(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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Melty in Dedham Has Closed

The sole Boston-area location of a small group of dining spots with roots out west has shut down.

Based on a check on the place this week, Melty in Dedham is no longer in business, with a message from @IrishEyesPhoto1 saying that it closed on March 8. A Facebook post from the Washington Street spot gives a bit more information, saying the following:

After much consideration, we've made the difficult decision to close Melty Dedham....Opening our doors in September 2024 was truly a dream come true. From day one, our goal was simple — to serve great food with warmth and create a place where people left feeling a little better than when they walked in. We are so proud of what we built with this community....Like many restaurants navigating a challenging environment, we faced hurdles that ultimately made it impossible to continue. This was not an easy decision, and we truly gave it everything we had....Thank you, Dedham, for welcoming us and supporting us. We are deeply grateful.

The Dedham location of Melty (whose company headquarters are in Utah) was known for its grilled cheese sandwiches along with its melts which included such options as pulled pork, bacon, corned beef, turkey, chicken, ham, ground beef, and more.

The address for the now-closed Melty in Dedham was 290 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the company is at https://www.lovemelty.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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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/

(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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MEZŌ Is Opening in the Former Pancho's Taqueria Space in Dedham

A new Mediterranean restaurant is on its way to the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, MEZŌ is planning to open in Dedham on March 2, with the address indicating that it will be moving into the space on High Street that had been home to Pancho's Taqueria. The upcoming 25-seat dining spot will be a modern Mediterranean restaurant that has a "fast-fine" concept where it will be an upscale version of a fast-casual place (including a grab-and-go section), with such options as avgolemono, moussaka, grilled lamb chops, chicken gyros, pork souvlaki, stuffed peppers, roasted lemon potatoes, baklava, and more.

The owner/operator of MEZŌ is George Panagopoulos, who runs the Dedham House of Pizza.

The address for MEZŌ is 551 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website will be at https://mezodedham.com/

[March 5, 2026 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, MEZŌ is now open in Dedham.]

(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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Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham Is Closing

It looks like a small local group of barbecue joints will be closing one of its locations.

According to an X post from @bostonradio (who was told by one of their managers), Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham is going to be shutting down, with a Facebook post from local music act Joe Pete Wetherbee also saying this and mentioning that it will be closing at the end of the year, putting "the end to our monthly residency there." Wetherbee also says that the Arlington and West Newton locations of Blue Ribbon will remain in operation, and presumably the Time Out Market Boston outlet in the Fenway will continue to be open as well.

The Dedham location of Blue Ribbon first opened in the early part of 2018.

The address for Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham is 342 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the business is at https://www.blueribbonbbq.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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Pressed Cafe Plans to Open in Dedham

Last week, it was reported that a local group of dining spots that focus on healthy, freshly-made options had expanded to another space in the Boston suburbs, and now we have learned that yet another new location is coming to the suburbs as well.

According to a source, Pressed Cafe is planning to open in Dedham, with both the source and an Atlantic Retail page indicating that it will be moving into a space at the former TGI Friday's property. Once it opens, the new outlet of the eatery will likely offer such options as soups, panini, bowls, fresh-pressed juices, coffee, and more, and it will join others in Boston's Back Bay and Seaport District, Burlington, Chelmsford, Lawrence, Newton, and a brand new one in Woburn, along with four in New Hampshire (another new one is also in the works for Beverly).

The address for the upcoming location of Pressed Cafe in Dedham is 750 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.pressedcafe.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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The Halal Guys Opens in Dedham

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be opening a location in the southwestern suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it is ready to open.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social and a Facebook post from the chain, The Halal Guys opens in Dedham October 25, moving into a space by Star Market on Providence Highway. 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 Newton as well.

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

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in Dedham is 799 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the chain can be found at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open New Locations in Dedham

(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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Zocca Cucina Italiana Is Opening in Dedham

A new Italian restaurant is on its way to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it will have an ownership connection to a couple of other dining spots in the local area.

According to an email, Zocca Cucina Italiana is planning to open in Dedham, offering seasonal Italian fare with roots in the Northern Italy town of Zocca. The people behind Molinari's in Dorchester and Ravello in Watertown are opening the Dedham Square spot, which will offer such options as wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta, wine, and cocktails. 

The address for Zocca Cucina Italiana is 585 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website can be found at https://www.zoccadedham.com/

[August 6 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Zocca Cucina Italiana is now open in Dedham.]

(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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Anna's Taqueria Is Opening at Legacy Place in Dedham

A local group of Mexican restaurants continues to be in expansion mode, with a new one now on the way to a mixed-use development southwest of Boston.

According to a source, Anna's Taqueria is planning to open at Legacy Place in Dedham, with an article from boston25news.com mentioning that the new outlet hopes to debut sometime this fall. Once it opens, the new location of Anna will join a number of locations in the Greater Boston area, and another new one is currently in the works for Natick while a possible South Boston location could be coming as well (an outlet in Woburn also recently opened).

The website for Anna's Taqueria is at https://annas.com/

[December 4 update: According to a press release, Anna's Taqueria is now open at Legacy Place in Dedham.]

(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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Keshar Indian Bistro Is Opening in the Former Kouzina Estiatorio Space in Dedham

A new Indian restaurant is on its way to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it has a connection to a dining spot on Cape Cod.

According to a post on the Dedham Square Circle Facebook group page, Keshar Indian Bistro is planning to open in Dedham, moving into the space on High Street where Kouzina Estiatorio had been. A check on the website for Keshar Indian Restaurant in West Yarmouth shows that the two have an ownership connection, as the upcoming Dedham location is shown on the site. It appears that if all goes well, Keshar Indian Bistro could be opening sometime in February.

Kouzina Estiatorio closed down early last year after 16 years in business.

The address for the Dedham location of Keshar Indian Restaurant is 557 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for both locations of Keshar is at https://kesharindianbistro.com/

[August 1 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Keshar Indian Restaurant is now open in Dedham.]

(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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Mecha Noodle Bar to Open at Legacy Place in Dedham

A Connecticut-based group of Asian restaurants will be opening another outlet in the Greater Boston area, with this one being in a mixed-use development just southwest of the city.

According to the website for Legacy Place in Dedham, Mecha Noodle Bar is planning to open within the development, joining others in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood and Brookline's Coolidge Corner. Based on those outlets along with other locations in Connecticut, Ohio, Washington, DC, and Colorado, expect to see noodle dishes with Southeast Asian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean influences including ramen and pho.

The website for Mecha Noodle Bar is at https://mechanoodlebar.com/

[October 30, 2025 update: According to a press release, the Legacy Place location of Mecha Noodle Bar is slated to have its official opening on November 8.]

(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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Menya Jiro at Legacy Place in Dedham Has Closed

It looks like a ramen spot southwest of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Menya Jiro at Legacy Place in Dedham is no longer in operation, with a check on the Legacy Place website seeming to confirm this as it has removed the restaurant from the site. The Dedham location of the chain first opened in 2022, joining another outlet in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge (which Google mentions as "temporarily closed").

The address for the now-closed Menya Jiro in Dedham was 756 Legacy Place, Dedham, MA, 02026. 

(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.)

 

The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open New Locations in Dedham

A few months ago, it was reported that a couple of growing chains were both planning to open within a development in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and now we have learned that the two businesses will be doing something similar in the southwest suburbs.

According to a source, The Halal Guys and Dave's Hot Chicken are both planning to open in Dedham, with the two of them apparently moving into the space by Star Market on Providence Highway that had been home to Panera before it moved up the street. These plans have been confirmed by a page within the town's website that shows a Design Review Advisory Board hearing, showing The Halal Guys as being at 799 Providence Highway and Dave's Hot Chicken being at 797 Providence Highway.

Back in June, we wrote about plans for The Halal Guys and Dave's Hot Chicken to open at the Bon on Boylston Street in the Fenway, with the former being takeout-only while the latter will apparently have both takeout and dine-in options. (The two businesses also have locations within the same space at South Bay in Dorchester as well.)

The website for The Halal Guys is at https://thehalalguys.com/ and the website for Dave's Hot Chicken is at https://www.daveshotchicken.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open at the Bon Apartment Complex in Boston's Fenway

(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.)

Horse Thieves Tavern in Dedham Has Closed

A tavern in the southwest suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Horse Thieves Tavern in Dedham is no longer in business, with a picture of a note posted in the thread saying the following:

We want to thank you for 5+ years of dedication. It is with a heavy heart that we are closing the tavern. The tavern has had a great run in the Square and we are very grateful to Dedham and the people of Dedham for supporting us.

Horse Thieves Tavern first opened in March of 2019 after being in the works for at least three years; the restaurant and bar featured a mix of classic American and New American fare while being known in part for its fireplace and its live music.

The address for the now-closed Horse Thieves Tavern was 585 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.

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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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Melty Is Opening in Dedham

A small group of grilled cheese places with roots out west will be expanding to the Greater Boston area.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Melty is planning to open in Dedham, moving into the space on Washington Street that had been home to Gilbert's Wine & Spirits. The post mentions that the upcoming eatery "specializes in grilled-cheese sandwiches with stuff on top of the cheese," with a check on the website for the business (which is headquartered in Utah) indicating that this would be its first location in New England.

The address for Melty in Dedham is 290 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the company is at https://www.lovemelty.com/

[September 20 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Dedham location of Melty is opening on September 27.]

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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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Few and Far Is Opening in the Former Isabella/Cafe Tremezzo Space in Dedham

The people behind a neighborhood bistro in Cambridge are opening a new dining spot, with this one being in the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to its Instagram page and an earlier article from the bostonchefs.com site, Few and Far is planning to open in Dedham, moving into the space on High Street in Dedham Square that had been home to Caffe Tremezzo, and before that, Isabella. The bostonchefs.com site mentions that Stan Hilbert, who is the owner of Forage, and chef Eric Cooper are looking to open the new spot in the spring, and it will be a farm-to-table restaurant with locally-sourced seasonal fare along with local beers, natural wines, and craft cocktails.

The address for Few and Far is 566 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website will be at https://fewandfardedham.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/fewandfardedham/

[May 1 update: An Instagram post from the place indicates that Few and Far has opened.]

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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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Kouzina Estiatorio in Dedham Has Closed

A Greek restaurant just southwest of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kouzina Estiatorio in Dedham has closed, with a Facebook post from the High Street spot saying the following:

We have been blessed to serve our community for the past 16+ years. We have made a lot of great connections, memories and friends along the way through good times and bad. Unfortunately, right now, we have to step away to take care of our health and well being as well as that of our families. Thank you all for your years of support and encouragement. With much love, The Sountoulidis Family

Kouzina Estiatorio was a popular place for takeout, though it did have a few tables for dining in; the menu offered such items as avgolemono soup, souvlaki, spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, pastitsio, gyros, burgers, and baklava.

The address for Kouzina Estiatorio was 557 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.

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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 Opens in Dedham

A local group of restaurants and bars has opened another new outlet, with this one being just southwest of Boston.

According to multiple sources, Tavern in the Square is now open in Dedham, and as mentioned in an earlier article, it has taken over the former Joe's American Bar & Grill space on Providence Highway. The new location is one of three that was announced earlier this year, with one in Framingham opening this summer while another in Weymouth is planning to open as well. (Other outlets can be found in North Station and South Station in Boston, Allston, Burlington, Littleton, Lowell, Shrewsbury, Tyngsborough, Woburn, and Wrentham.

The address for the new location of Tavern in the Square is 985 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for all locations is at https://www.taverninthesquare.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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