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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Taco John's to Expand to Massachusetts; Locations in Lawrence and Leominster in the Works

A chain of quick-service Mexican restaurants whose roots are out west will be expanding to the local area.

According to a press release, Taco John's is going to be opening outlets in Massachusetts, with two being slated for Lawrence (February) and Leominster (March) to start. We have been told that both dining spots will be 2000 square feet in size, and based on the menu at the existing locations, expect to see such options as tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, refried beans, and Potato Olés (fried potato nuggets with spices and sauce options). It appears that there could be at least 22 outlets of Taco John's opening up locally, though no other locations have been given as of yet.

Taco John's started out as a taco stand in Cheyenne, WY, back in 1969 and now has nearly 400 restaurants in 22 states. The website for the chain can be found at https://tacojohns.com/

[February 9, 2023 update: According to a press release, the Lawrence location of Taco John's opens on February 13.]

[June 1, 2023 update: A new press release indicates that the Leominster location of Taco John's opens on June 5.]

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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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

New Concept from Easy Pie Team Coming to Everett Mills Complex in Lawrence

A new dining spot is on its way to an historic group of mill buildings in Lawrence, and the people behind a quirky pizzeria and restaurant in Revere will be opening it.

According to a job post within the Craigslist website, a "new concept restaurant" that is part of the Easy Pie restaurant group is coming to Everett Mills on Union Street, with the posting mentioning the name "BE-EZ." No further information has been given on the new concept as of yet, though the job post does show a pizza and a burger.

Easy Pie first opened in Braintree in 2010, offering pizzas, burgers, chicken and turkey sandwiches, and more, including some unusual pizza topping combos (both sweet and savory). A new outlet opened in Revere in 2017, though the Braintree location shut down down in 2019.

The website for Easy Pie can be found at https://www.theeasypie.com/

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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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Cafe Azteca in Lawrence Has Closed, Is Looking for New Location

A beloved Mexican restaurant in the Merrimack Valley has shut down, though there is hope that it could return elsewhere.

According to a source, Cafe Azteca in Lawrence is no longer in business, with a Facebook video from the Common Street spot stating that its last day in business was Saturday, November 13. The video does indicate that they are looking for a new space, while their affiliated business--El Taller Cafe and Bookstore at 275 Essex Street--will be hosting Azteca for the time being. It isn't yet known where the restaurant could be reborn, so keep checking back for updates.

Cafe Azteca first opened 28 years ago, offering a variety of Mexican dishes while also being known in part for its artwork displayed within the space.

The address for Cafe Azteca was 180 Common Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840.

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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Napoli Pizza & Subs in Lawrence Has Closed

A decades-old Italian eatery in the Merrimack Valley has shut down.

According to an article from The Eagle-Tribune, Napoli Pizza & Subs in Lawrence has closed its doors, with the Common Street spot shuttering on Friday after 44 years in operation. The post mentions that health issues concerning two of the family members behind the business was the reason for the closure of the place, which resided in what was once a heavily-Italian part of the city known in part for its restaurants, bakeries and food shops. Napoli featured bakery pizza, which some called "grandma pie," and was similar to Sicilian slices, and the dining spot also served meat pies and spinach pies along with subs, calzones, and more.

The address for the now-closed Napoli Pizza was 79 Common Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840.

Thanks to Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

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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Belmont, Essex, Needham, and Lawrence Require Restaurant Workers and Customers to Wear Protective Face Coverings

At least four more communities in the Greater Boston area have put stricter rules in place that will affect both restaurant workers and customers.

According to a source as well as a list from WBZ 1030, people are now required to wear masks or another form of protective face covering in Belmont, Essex, Needham, and Lawrence, with the Lawrence ruling also including outdoor spaces in certain cases, according to a post from WHDH 7News. The four communities join an increasingly-long list of others in the region, including Abington, Beverly, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Danvers, Everett, Framingham, Lynn, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Peabody, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Somerville, Swampscott, and Whitman, though as of this writing, no such requirement has been set in place for the city of Boston.

Massachusetts restaurants and bars continue to be under a shutdown of sorts where they are only allowed to offer takeout and/or delivery due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the end date being extended from May 4 to May 18 a couple of days ago.

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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Spicket River Brewery Is Opening in Lawrence

Another new brewery is on its way to the local area, and this one will be located in an historic mill complex that's actually on an island.

Eater Boston is reporting that Spicket River Brewery is planning to open in Lawrence, with an earlier Facebook post from the place indicating that it will reside within the Island Street Studios at Union Crossing, which is located on a small island between the Merrimack River and the North Canal and is part of the North Canal Historic District. Eater and the brewery's Facebook page mention that the Spicket River is setting up a tap truck and mobile kitchen for events as the brewery gets ready to open, with the grand opening of the brewery--which will also have a taproom--being slated for July 13.

The address for this new brewery in Lawrence is: Spicket River Brewery, 56 Island Road, Lawrence, MA, 01840. Its website will be at https://www.spicketriverbrewery.com/

[October 14 update: A Facebook post indicates that Spicket River Brewery soft-opens on Wednesday, October 16.]

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

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Pizza King in Lawrence Is Closing

A pizza shop north of Boston that has been in business for more than half a century is shutting down.

According to a post on its Facebook page, Pizza King in Lawrence is closing its doors for good on July 2, saying that "We realize that this announcement may be as difficult for you as it is for us. We've shared over 50 years together." The pizzeria is known in part for its spinach pies and meat pies, and it also offers calzones and subs in addition to pizza.

This is the second iconic food spot in Lawrence to close this year, as Italian Kitchen on Common Street shuttered at the end of April after nearly 60 years in business.

The address for this soon-to-close pizza place in Lawrence is: Pizza King, 29 Salem Street, Lawrence, MA, 01843.

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Italian Kitchen in Lawrence Is Closing

A dining spot north of Boston that has been in business for nearly 60 years--and one that offers a food item that is nearly impossible to find--is closing its doors.

The Well Seasoned Gourmand is reporting that Italian Kitchen in Lawrence is planning to shut down for good on Sunday, April 30, with a message sent to us stating that owner Peter Messina and his wife Ruth are planning to retire. The Common Street eatery is known for two items--crispelli and rice balls (arancini)--with the article indicating that the former might not be available at any other dining spot in the United States, though a sign at the adjacent North End Deli hints that they may be offering the little pieces of fried dough soon.

The Italian Kitchen first opened in 1958 in the heart of an old Italian neighborhood in Lawrence that still has several Italian food shops and restaurants, including the North End Deli, Tripoli Bakery, and Napoli Pizza and Subs.

The address for the soon-to-close Italian Kitchen is 91 Common Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840.

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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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Wichit Is Moving from Lawrence to Boston's Back Bay

A breakfast and lunch spot in Lawrence that features an array of sandwiches is getting ready to move to the Back Bay of Boston.

According to their Facebook page, Wichit on Union Street in the Everett Mills building has closed and is moving to Boston, and a post on the EveryBlock Boston site indicates that their new address will be 244 Newbury Street in the Back Bay, which is near the Fairfield Street intersection. Wichit first opened in the historic Everett Mills in Lawrence in late 2009, replacing the Mill City Gourmet. The restaurant offers bagels, frittatas, burritos, soups, salads, and sandwiches, including such hot and cold sandwiches as NY strip sirloin, pastrami, chicken, turkey, prosciutto, veggie, and tuna. Sandwiches at Wichit come with such toppings and extras as Gruyere cheese, shredded sauerkraut, roasted garlic aioli, sauteed portabella mushrooms, dried cranberries, apple wood bacon, avocado, and more.

[May 29 update: According to their Facebook page, Wichit will be opening on Newbury Street sometime this summer.]

[December 18 update: Eater Boston is reporting that Wichit is now open on Newbury Street.]

Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured Wichit as a place to check out for sandwiches, with the review being at the link below.

Review of Wichit in Lawrence, MA

The website for Wichit can be found at http://www.wichitsandwich.com/

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Lawton's May Re-Open in New Lawrence Location; Lawrence Famous Frankfurters to Open in Old Lawton's Space

It look like a decades-old hot dog stand in Lawrence that recently closed may be opening in a new location within the city, and a new hot dog place will be opening in the space where Lawton's used to be.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, the owner of Lawton's, which had been at the corner of Canal Street and Broadway for approximately 80 years until closing over the winter, is hoping to re-open the place at the corner of South Union Street and Jamaica Street, with the new name being Lawton's Famous Frankfurters. The article states that if all goes as planned, the new Lawton's will look much like the old one, albeit with an upgraded interior and a little more space. The spot where Lawton's used to be is going to become a new eatery called Lawrence Famous Frankfurters, which will feature hot dogs as well as sausages, salad wraps, BBQ chicken, lobster rolls, and more.

For more information on the opening of these two hot dog stands in Lawrence, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below.

Weiner wars: Landlord reopening Lawton's hot dogs under new name

Thanks to a poster on Chowhound for bringing this to our attention.

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Lawton's in Lawrence Is Closing; May Reopen Elsewhere

A landmark hot dog stand in Lawrence that temporarily closed awhile back because it was in danger of falling into the adjacent canal is closing for good at its present location, though it may be reopening in another location at some point in the future.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, Lawton's on Canal Street is planning to close at the end of 2010 after being in business for more than 80 years. The article states that reasons for the hot dog stand's pending closure include both present and upcoming construction projects in the immediate area. The future construction project, which will focus on stabilizing the canal wall, brings to mind the reason for Lawton's temporary closure last year--the ground around Lawton's was unstable and had to be shored up, which kept the restaurant closed for several months.

The article mentions that the owners of Lawton's are hoping to open elsewhere in the area if they can find a location that will work out.

Lawton's, which features rippers (deep-fried hot dogs), is a restaurant that has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants). The review can be found here:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Lawtons.html

For more information on the apparent closing of Lawton's in Lawrence, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below.

Lawton's could be gone for good Dec. 31

[January 3, 2011 update: According to a new article in the Eagle-Tribune, Lawton's has officially closed, though as mentioned above, the co-owners of the hot dog joint are looking for a new space.]

[April 19, 2011 update: According to the Eagle-Tribune, it looks like Lawton's may be reopening in another part of Lawrence, and a new hot dog stand called Lawrence Famous Frankfurters will be opening in the spot where Lawton's used to be.]

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Latest Review: Wichit, Lawrence

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for Wichit, a cafe-style restaurant in Lawrence. Located in the massive Everett Mills building at the eastern edge of the downtown area, Wichit is a charming, historic-feeling breakfast and lunch spot that is popular with both workers within the complex and people who live in and around the neighborhood. Wichit features a variety of freshly-made sandwiches, and also allows diners to have sandwiches custom-made, with a number of breads, cheeses, meats, sauces, and toppings available. To read more about Wichit in Lawrence, please click on the link above.

Mill City Gourmet in Lawrence Has Become Wichit

A cafe in Lawrence that has been serving breakfast and lunch to both locals and nearby workers for several years has changed its name and menu, and renovated its interior. Mill City Gourmet in the Everett Mills complex on Union Street became Wichit earlier this fall (same ownership) and now focuses more on organic foods and sandwiches, though some items from the Mill City Gourmet's menu are still offered. A press release put out by Wichit states that the rebranded cafe is now doing online ordering and also offers catering.

The menu at Wichit includes pulled pork breakfast burritos, frittatas, angus steak chili, a roast turkey Cobb salad, sweet potato fries, and a number of sandwiches (Cubano, chicken katsu, angus burger, ham and egg, and several others).

On a side note, Mill City Gourmet was a restaurant that we had featured on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site. We will be heading to Wichit soon to check out the spot, but in the meantime, if you would like to read our old Mill City Gourmet review, here it is:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/MillCityGourmet.html

Hours for Wichit are 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday (it is closed on weekends). The address is: Wichit, 15 Union Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840. The phone number is (978) 794-0199. And the website is at: http://www.wichitsandwich.com/

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Cedar Crest in Lawrence May Be Replaced with a Burger King

A landmark restaurant in Lawrence that is closing its doors this fall may become home to a new Burger King. According to an article in The Eagle-Tribune, the Cedar Crest Restaurant on Broadway might be torn down and replaced with a new location of the fast-food chain. The article states that the new Burger King would be much smaller than the Cedar Crest.

The Eagle-Tribune had mentioned that the closing date of the Cedar Crest might be somewhere around October 1, but as of today, the restaurant still appears to be open (call ahead if you are thinking of going--see phone number below).

The Cedar Crest Restaurant has been serving Italian and Mediterranean food to diners since the 1930s. A number of famous people have eaten at the restaurant over the years, and it has been a longtime local favorite among residents of this old mill city in the Merrimack Valley.

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Lawrence is: Cedar Crest Restaurant, 187 Broadway, Lawrence, MA, 01840. The phone number is (978) 685-5722.

To read more about the proposal to bring Burger King to the Cedar Crest site in Lawrence, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below.

Burger King planned for Cedar Crest site

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Lawton's Update: Reopening Will Now Be Late November

A renowned hot dog stand in Lawrence that had been in danger of falling into an adjacent canal is still slated to reopen, but the opening date has been pushed back. According to the Eagle-Tribune, Lawton's will not be able to open until sometime around Thanksgiving because work around the dining spot is taking longer than previously expected. The hot dog stand had originally been hoping to reopen around the end of July. [December 18 update: According to several sources, Lawton's is now open.]

Lawton's, which is known for its deep-fried hot dogs, closed a few months ago because the ground that the structure was on became unstable, putting the hot dog stand in danger of falling into the canal below.

For more details on the delayed reopening of Lawton's, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below:

Lawton's slated for Thanksgiving grand reopening

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this update on Lawton's to our attention.

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Lawton's in Lawrence to Re-Open Soon

It appears that Lawton's in Lawrence will be able to start serving hot dogs once again.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, workers will be stabilizing the embankment that the hot dog stand is on, as well as rebuilding the adjacent sidewalk. Work should be done by the end of July, which means Lawton's may be open for business within a couple of weeks. The building had been forced to close awhile back because the ground it was on seemed to be shifting, putting the structure in danger of falling into the adjacent canal.

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

Lawton's is a Lawrence institution that is famous for its "rippers," or deep-fried hot dogs. The hot dog stand has been in business since the early part of the 20th century.

For more on the pending re-opening of Lawton's in Lawrence, as well as detailed information on the work being done in and around the place, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below:

Work begins on Lawton's sidewalk; hot dogs soon

Lawton's in Lawrence Closed Indefinitely; In Danger of Falling into Canal

A Lawrence hot dog stand that has been an institution for many decades is in danger of disappearing--literally.

According to a poster on Chowhound and the Eagle-Tribune Online, Lawton's on Canal Street in this historic mill city north of Boston is apparently shifting and could eventually fall into the canal that it sits above. The Eagle Tribune goes on to mention that the beloved takeout stand is closed indefinitely.

Lawton's is known for its fried hot dogs, or "rippers," a relative rarity in Massachusetts as most dining spots in the state tend to either grill or steam their hot dogs. Rippers tend to be a bit more popular in Connecticut and can commonly be found in New Jersey.

For more on the closing of Lawton's in Lawrence, please go to the Eagle Tribune link below:

Lawton's hot-dog stand could fall into nearly empty North Canal as earth embankment settles and canal wall moves

Terra Luna Cafe Opens in Lawrence

Downtown Lawrence has a new restaurant, this one being a bit more upscale than most of the dining spots in the immediate area. The Terra Luna Cafe, which is located along Appleton Way (the pedestrian walkway in the heart of Lawrence's downtown district), features reasonably priced continental cuisine, including pan-seared crab cakes, roasted pork loin, grilled sirloin steak, and penne with chicken and vegetables. Desserts include creme brulee and flan. Prices for dinner entrees are mostly between $10 and $15.

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Lawrence is: Terra Luna Cafe, 225 Essex Street (Appleton Way), Lawrence, MA 01841. The phone number is (978) 747-7989.

Latest Review: Mill City Gourmet, Lawrence

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for the Mill City Gourmet, a cafe located in the Everett Mills building on Union Street in downtown Lawrence. The Mill City Gourmet is a funky and friendly little breakfast and lunch spot with lots of character, mainly from its location within an historic mill building. Lunches at the Mill City mostly consist of soups, salads, and sandwiches, and many of the options are healthy and fresh. To read more about the Mill City Gourmet in Lawrence, please click on the link above.