Mesob Restaurant Is Opening in Boston's South End

An East African dining spot is on its way to the South End of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Mesob Restaurant is planning to open on Washington Street near where it intersects Massachusetts Avenue, with its exact address indicating that it may be taking over the space where the Senegalese dining spot Teranga had been. The listing mentions that the proposed eatery would have one main dining room and that the business is seeking a full liquor license, while a street abutters meeting notice says that it would be an East African restaurant that plans to be open Monday-Thursday from noon to 11:00 PM, Fridays from noon to 1:00 AM, Saturdays, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM, and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

The address for Mesob Restaurant is 1746-1752 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://www.mesobrestaurantboston.com/

[December 23 update: According to a poster within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Mesob Restaurant is now open, with the dining spot offering Ethiopian dishes (its website also says it serves Eritrean cuisine as well).]

(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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Gumax Cafe and Grill May Be Opening in Cambridge

A restaurant known in part for its spicy pies with East African influences could be on its way to Cambridge.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Gumax Cafe and Grill is looking to open on Mass. Ave. between Harvard Square and Central Square, with a sign out front saying that it plans to open this fall. Based on its sole location in Woodbridge, VA, it appears that the upcoming location of the eatery would offer crispy and spicy pies with such fillings as beef, chicken, lobster, crab, and vegetables while also serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner items such as waffles, pancakes, French toast, omelets, sandwiches, steaks, seafood dishes, and more.

The website for the parent company of Gumax Cafe and Grill indicates that the spicy pies offered reflect owner Augustine Guma's roots in Uganda; Guma is currently planning to open more locations of the restaurant in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, DC, and California.

The address for this proposed restaurant in Cambridge is: Gumax Cafe and Grill, 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the place can be found at https://www.gumaxcafeandgrill.com/

[January 31, 2020 update: It appears that plans for Gumax to open in the space on Mass. Ave. have fallen through, as a source tells us that a "For Lease" sign is now up at the space.]

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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Tawakal Is Reopening in East Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A beloved Somali restaurant in East Boston that closed seven years ago is getting ready to return, albeit it in a new space and with a slightly different name.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Tawakal Halal Cafe is opening on Maverick Street in the Jeffries Point area, which is more or less on the other side of Eastie from its old home on Bennington Street in Orient Heights. The post says that the dining spot--which was formerly called Tawakal Halal Cuisine--will soft open on October 28, with an official opening taking place on October 29. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner daily, with the plan being to have a "small" menu at the outset.

Tawakal Halal Cuisine debuted in 2010 but closed approximately a year later, transitioning itself at the time into more of a caterer for various events; the eatery had been a favorite among locals and food writers alike, with restaurant critic MC Slim JB praising its "beguiling" cuisine in a Boston Phoenix review, saying it was "food-nerd nirvana."

The address for Tawakal Halal Cafe is 389 Maverick Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/TawakalHalalCafe/>

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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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Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant Opening in North Cambridge

A new dining spot is coming to North Cambridge, and it will be featuring East African cuisine.

According to a license commission agenda page within the city's website, Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant has applied for a common victualler license to operate on Mass. Ave., with the address indicating that it would be opening on the same block where Joe Sent Me, Hana Sushi, Suvaai, and Qingdao Garden reside. The name of the manager--Misrak Gandi--also hints that the person behind the place may also be behind Misrak Beauty Salon which is also in that block, though this has not been confirmed as of yet. Little is known about the eatery other than the fact that it plans to have seating for 14 inside, a small outdoor area with a capacity of 8, and lunch and dinner (and possibly breakfast) being offered daily.

The address for this new restaurant in North Cambridge is: Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant, 2376 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02140.

[December 6 update: A new license commission agenda page indicates that the upcoming Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant has applied for a beer and wine license and that its proposed capacity has increased to 44 inside while remaining at 8 outside.]

[July 13, 2018 update: According to a source (Rich O'Rourke), Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant is now open.]

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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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