Paul Revere Restaurant in West Medford Is Reopening

Last month, it was reported that a longtime breakfast and lunch spot north of Boston had closed, but now we have learned that it will be returning.

According to a Bluesky post from @geoffjentry.bsky.social, Paul Revere Restaurant in West Medford is going to be reopening, with an Instagram post from the High Street eatery saying the following:

Paul Revere still rides! We're thrilled to announce...Paul Revere Restaurant will continue under new ownership! For more than 25 years, it has been our privilege to own the Paul Revere Restaurant and serve the wonderful Medford community. While this marks the beginning of a new chapter, we couldn't be happier to pass the lantern to a longtime Medford resident who will carry on the spirit and legacy of this special place....Stay tuned for more updates and news from Paul Revere's new owners.

Paul Revere Restaurant--which was known for its breakfast plates, sandwiches, and more--initially closed on August 30 due to "an unexpected, serious medical hardship and retirement."

The address for Paul Revere Restaurant is 447 High Street, West Medford, MA, 02155.

[Earlier Article]
Paul Revere Restaurant in West Medford 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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Paul Revere Restaurant in West Medford Is Closing

A longtime breakfast and lunch spot a few miles north of Boston is going to be shutting down.

According to an Instagram post from the business, Paul Revere Restaurant in West Medford is planning to close its doors, with the post from the High Street eatery saying the following:

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Paul Revere Restaurant will be closing permanently on Sunday, August 30, 2006. Due to an unexpected, serious medical hardship and retirement, we are no longer able to continue operating the restaurant. After careful consideration with our family and medical team, we must prioritize our health and prioritize what is best for our family, and unfortunately right now that means stepping away from daily operation.

Paul Revere Restaurant has been in business since 2000, offering such options as breakfast plates, waffles, pancakes, club sandwiches, burgers, wings, fish and chips, and more.

The address for Paul Revere Restaurant is 447 High Street, West Medford, MA, 02155. Its website can be found at https://paulrevererestaurant.yolasite.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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Pavement Coffeehouse to Open at Tufts University in Medford

A local group of coffee places will soon be opening a new location at a college campus.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Pavement Coffeehouse is planning to open at Tufts University in Medford, with a Tufts Daily article stating that it will move into the former Starbucks space within the Joyce Cummings Center on College Avenue. The article mentions that the new location of Pavement hopes to open sometime in November, joining a nine others in the Greater Boston area, including other college locations at Boston University, Lesley University and Harvard University.

The website for all locations of Pavement Coffeehouse is at https://pavementcoffeehouse.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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Real Italian Gusto in Medford Has Closed Permanently; Team Behind Ebisuya Japanese Market Taking Over the Space

Earlier this week, it was reported that an Italian restaurant north of Boston appeared to have closed. We have now confirmed this, while also discovering who will be taking over the space.

A Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that Real Italian Gusto in Medford has indeed closed, with the note saying the following:

Dear friends, after 11 years of cooking, welcoming, laughing, and sharing moments together, we have made the very difficult decision to close our restaurant. This choice was not easy. This place has been our home, and all of you have been our extended family. Your support over the years has meant more to us than words can express....Today, we close this chapter to pursue new projects and new paths.

The post from the High Street dining spot goes on to say that the people behind the shuttered Ebisuya Japanese Market--which was also in Medford--will be taking over the space, saying that "they will share more details soon." (Ebisuya Japanese Market closed last year, though their other spot--Ebisuya Japanese Noodle House--remains open in Malden.)

The address for the now-closed Real Italian Gusto (and the new spot from the Ebisuya Japanese Market team) is 24 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

[Earlier Article]
Real Italian Gusto in Medford Is Shuttered; Future of the Place Is Unknown

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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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Real Italian Gusto in Medford Is Shuttered; Future of the Place Is Unknown

An Italian restaurant north of Boston is locked up and dark, and its future appears to be in doubt.

According to Boston Restaurant Talk reader Dan Kennedy, Real Italian Gusto is Medford is shuttered, with a note on the website for the High Street dining spot saying "We are closed, sorry for the inconvenience" while its Instagram page says "Sorry, we are closed these days. More updates coming soon!"

Real Italian Gusto first opened in 2015, offering pizza and pasta dishes along with meals such as short ribs, salmon, and pork chops.

The address for Real Italian Gusto is 24 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website is at https://www.realitaliangusto.com/ while its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/realitaliangusto/

[July 17 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that Real Italian Gusto has indeed closed, and they say that the people behind Ebisuya Japanese Market will be taking over the 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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Lola's Coffee and More in West Medford Has Closed

A coffee shop in West Medford has shut down after being in business for three years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Lola's Coffee and More on Playstead Road is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the shop saying the following:

Owing to certain challenges with Len's Coffee and changes in my employment situation, we opted for retirement and made preparations for new owners to take over both businesses. Regrettably, after completing the necessary paperwork, the individual set to assume control of Lola's Coffee and More informed us that they would not be proceeding, forcing our hand and leading to this sudden closure.

Lola's first opened in the spring of 2023, moving into the space that had been home to Nourish Your Soul (a location of that business remains in operation in Winchester).

The address for the now-closed Lola's Coffee and More in West Medford was 17 Playstead Road, West Medford, MA, 02155.

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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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Cilantro's Mexican Grill Is Opening in the Former Smashburger Space in Medford

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a Boston-area location of a Colorado-based chain of quick-casual burger restaurants had closed, and now we have learned what is going into its space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Cilantro's Mexican Grill is planning to open in Medford, moving into the space on Riverside Avenue that had been home to a location of Smashburger. It appears that this will be another location of the Cilantro's Mexican Grill that resides in the Village Park Shopping Center on Main Street in Saugus and which serves such items as burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, rice bowls, and more.

The Medford location of Smashburger had been in the space from 2015 until the latter part of 2025.

The address for the new location of Cilantro's Mexican Grill in Medford is495 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the Saugus location is at https://cilantrosmexgrill.com/

[April 27 update: According to a Facebook reel from the business, Cilantro's Mexican Grill is now open in Medford.]

[Earlier Article]
Smashburger in Medford Has Closed

(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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Smashburger in Medford Has Closed

A Boston-area location of a Colorado-based chain of quick-casual burger restaurants has shut down.

Based on an X post from @PackardGoose, Smashburger in Medford is no longer in business, with a check on the Fellsway Plaza dining spot indicating that it appears to have closed a bit more than a month ago. It does look like locations of the chain in Boston, Westwood, Natick, and Attleboro remain in operation.

The Medford location of Smashburger debuted in 2015, being the third location to open locally following the Natick and Westwood restaurants. 

The address for the now-closed Smashburger in Medford was 495 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the chain is at https://smashburger.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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Plazita Mexico Tacos Is Opening in Medford Square

A pair of Mexican restaurants in the northern and western suburbs of Boston will soon be joined by a third.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Plazita Mexico Tacos is planning to open in Medford, moving into a space on High Street in Medford Square. Once it opens, the new location will join others in Wakefield and Watertown, and based on those restaurants, expect to see such options as tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, and taquitos.

The address for the new location of Plazita Mexico Tacos in Medford is 49 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the business is at https://plazitamexicotacos.com/

[February 6, 2026 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Medford location of Plazita Mexico Tacos is now open, with the website for the business confirming this.]

(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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Twisted Tree Cafe Opens in West Medford

A pair of cafes in the western suburbs of Boston have been joined by a third location, and this one is a bit closer to the city.

According to a Bluesky post from @debbiejsr.bsky.social, Twisted Tree Cafe is now open in West Medford, moving into the ground floor of the Doherty West Medford condo complex on High Street. The new location joins two others in Lincoln--one on Lincoln Road by the commuter station and the other at the deCordova Museum--and it offers coffee, tea, salads, toasts, sandwiches, bowls, and more, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options.

The address for the new location of Twisted Tree Cafe in West Medford is 421 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for all locations is at https://www.thetwistedtreecafe.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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Localito Cafe Opens in Medford Square

A brand new cafe has debuted a few miles north of Boston, and it has a connection to a local group of Mexican restaurants. 

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Localito Cafe has opened in Medford, moving into a space on Riverside Avenue in Medford Square. The poster mentions that they are starting out with coffee and some pastries as they work out final details, and they will soon start adding additional menu items. An earlier post in the Facebook group page mentioned that the coffeehouse will be under the same ownership as that of Tenoch, which has seven locations in the Greater Boston area including in Medford Square (El Tacuba, which is also in Medford Square, is run by the same people as well).

The address for Localito Cafe is 30 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website is at https://www.localitocafe.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/localitomedford/

(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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Caribbean Hut Take-Out Is Opening in Medford

A new dining spot that will offer Haitian food and more is opening a few miles north of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Caribbean Hut Take-Out is planning to open in Medford, with Boston Magazine saying that the place will be run by the people who are behind Grêp Kafé & Sweets Bakery which is a couple of storefronts down on Salem Street (just west of the Fellsway West intersection). The upcoming eatery does not have a website or social media as of yet, so it isn't known for sure what kinds of dishes will be offered there, so keep checking back for updates.

Boston Magazine states that Caribbean Hut Take-Out hopes to open around late June.

The address for Caribbean Hut Take-Out is 466B Salem Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

[October 13 update: According to a new article from Boston Magazine, Caribbean Hut Take-Out is now open, offering such items as conch, oxtail, tasso beef, mac and cheese, and more.]

(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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Bun's House Opens in the Former Chilli Garden Space in Medford

Last month it was reported that a Chinese restaurant that focused on Sichuan fare closed down after more than 20 years in business, and now we have learned that another dining spot featuring Sichuan fare has moved into its space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bun's House is now open in Medford, taking over the former Chilli Garden space on Riverside Avenue in Medford Square. This appears to be a move for Bun's House, as their location on Ferry Street in Everett is shuttered while the website only shows the Medford location, whose menu shows such items as sauerkraut and pork soup, dan dan noodle, dumplings with chili sauce, pepper wonton, shrimp fried rice, roast fish, cumin lamb, shredded chicken with garlic sauce, spicy pork ribs, dry pot bullfrog, vinegar shredded potatoes, and sweet duck.

Chilli Garden first opened its doors back in 2003.

The address for Bun's House is 41 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website can be found at https://www.bunshousemedford.com/

[Earlier Article]
Chilli Garden in Medford Square Has Closed

(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 Establishment in North Chelmsford Is Expanding, Opening a New Location in Medford

A restaurant north of Boston that resides in an historic mill building is expanding to a space closer to the city.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Establishment in North Chelmsford is planning to open a new location in Medford, with the post and a What Now Boston article both mentioning that it will be moving into the Rivers Edge development, presumably taking over the space where The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint had been until closing in July. Once it opens (possibly later this month), expect the new outlet in Medford to offer such options as wings, burgers, pasta dishes, pizza, and beer, wine, and cocktails.

The Establishment first opened in North Chelmsford in 2017, replacing Aprile's European Restaurant.

The address for The Establishment in Medford is 175 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the business can be found at https://www.eatestablishment.com/

[February 18, 2025 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Establishment in Medford 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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Chilli Garden in Medford Square Has Closed

It looks like a Chinese restaurant a few miles north of Boston that was known in part for its authentic Sichuan dishes has shut down.

According to multiple sources, Chilli Garden in Medford Square is no longer in operation, with one poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page posting a picture of a sign out front saying that it has indeed closed. Chilli Garden first opened back in 2003, offering such dishes as sliced pork belly with garlic, wonton with chili sauce, dan dan noodle with minced pork, cold noodle with chicken and vegetables, tofu with pickles, chicken with chili sauce, shredded beef with green pepper, and lamb with cumin powder.

The address for the now-closed Chilli Garden was 41 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155.

(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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Mrs. Murphy's Pub Is Opening in Medford Square

The person behind a dining and drinking spot a few miles north of Boston has some new plans in the works.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mrs. Murphy's Pub is planning to open in Medford Square, with a Facebook post from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn saying that it will be a new place from the owner of The Ford Tavern, which is within the Windsor Mystic River development across from Wegman's. The Mayor of Medford mentions that the new spot is slated to open early next year while a What Now article say that owner Barry Rafferty plans to offer classic and modern takes on traditional Irish pub fare along with beer, cider, and cocktails.

The address for Mrs. Murphy's Pub is 25 Salem Street, Medford, MA, 02155. 

[February 21, 2025 update: A source tells us that Mrs. Murphy's Pub 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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Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Opens in Medford

A growing Louisiana-based chain of chicken spots has opened a new location in the local area, and this one has been in the works for more than a year.

According to multiple sources, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is now open in Medford, with the restaurant moving into a space at the Fellsway Plaza by Wellington Circle. In addition to chicken fingers, the dining spot also offers chicken sandwiches, Texas toast, fries, lemonade, sweet tea, and more.

The address for the new location of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers at the Fellsway Plaza is 760 Fellsway, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.raisingcanes.com/

[Earlier Article]
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Plans to Open in Medford

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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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Great American Beer Hall Opens in Medford

A new beer hall has opened just north of Boston after being in the works for nearly a year.

According to multiple sources, the Great American Beer Hall is now open in Medford, moving into a space on Mystic Avenue between Main Street and the Harvard Street/Route 16 intersection. The new spot includes 17,000 square feet of space with an outdoor beer garden and an extensive list of beers on tap along with wine, seltzers, and cocktails, while the place will also serve food from both a restaurant within the space and food trucks and it will have live music and games as well. (Even though the Great American Beer Hall is now up and running, the space continues to be under construction so it isn't fully open just yet.)

The address for the Great American Beer Hall is 142 Mystic Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website can be found at https://www.gabhall.com/

[Earlier Article]
Great American Beer Hall Plans to Open in Medford

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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 Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint in Medford Is Closing

A Southern restaurant that is known in part for its live music is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint in Medford is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

It's been real, Boston! Our last day of full service will be July 21. Our last concert will be on July 26 with Big Sandy & his Fly Rite Boys. We sincerely appreciate all the good times you've shared with us over the last 8 years.

The Porch first opened in Wakefield Center in 2016, moving to its present home on Rivers Edge Drive in Medford in 2019 where it has hosted countless rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, funk, soul, and indie acts while featuring regional cuisines of the South.

The address for The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint is 175 Rivers Edge Drive Medford, MA 02155. Its website can be found at https://www.theporchsouthern.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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Dave's Hot Chicken to Replace Boston Market in Medford

A growing chain of chicken places is further expanding into the Greater Boston area, opening in the space where a location of a shrinking chain of chicken spots had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Dave's Hot Chicken is planning to open in Medford, moving into the former Boston Market space at Wellington Circle Plaza. Once it opens, the new outlet of Dave's Hot Chicken will join others in Boston's Theatre District, Dorchester's South Bay, Braintree, Chelmsford, Framingham, Newton, Saugus, and Woburn, while the Medford location of Boston Market joins others that have recently closed in Saugus and Waltham--and it appears that the Quincy outlet may be closed as well, though we are trying to confirm whether this is a permanent closure. (If so, that would mean that there are no remaining locations of the chain inside Route 128.)

The address for the upcoming Dave's Hot Chicken (and now-closed Boston Market) in Medford is 616 Fellsway, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for all locations of Dave's Hot Chicken can be found at https://www.daveshotchicken.com/ while the website for Boston Market is at https://www.bostonmarket.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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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.)