Casa Bonita Mexican Grill Is Opening in the Former Hen House Space in Boston's Newmarket Square Area

The person behind a Dominican eatery in Roslindale is hoping to open a Mexican restaurant in another part of Boston.

Universal Hub is reporting that Felipe Duran, who owns La Guira & Tambora on Washington Street, is planning on opening Casa Bonita Mexican Grill in the city's Newmarket Square area, with the dining spot taking over the former Hen House space on Mass. Ave. The post mentions that the proposed restaurant would have seating for 42 inside and another 24 seats on an outdoor patio, while the hope is for a liquor license for the place as well; the Boston Licensing Board may vote on the proposal tomorrow, but even if it is approved, Duran could end up going on a waiting list for the liquor license if one isn't available.

The address for Casa Bonita Mexican Grill is 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[May 23, 2022 update: According to an Instagram post from the place, Casa Bonita Mexican Grill is now open.]

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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Dona Habana Is Opening in Boston's Newmarket Square

A new Cuban restaurant is on its way to Boston, and the people behind a Puerto Rican dining spot and a Dominican eatery are apparently behind the place.

According to a Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website, Dona Habana is planning to open in Boston's Newmarket Square, with a Facebook post indicating that it is moving into the space in the Hampton Inn and Suites (by Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue) where Rudi's Resto Cafe had been until closing in 2011. The post on Facebook comes from Vejigantes on West Dedham Street in the South End, which indicates that the owners of the upcoming eatery are also connected with Merengue on Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury. (The manager listed on the licensing page is "Nivia Prina," which appears to be a misspelling of Nivia Pina, the co-owner of both Vejigantes and Merengue.)

Little is known about Dona Habana at this point in time other than the fact that it is seeking a liquor license and the space it plans to move into is 5,482 square feet (a total of 6,670 square feet including an outdoor patio). It also has a proposed closing time of 1:00 AM.

The exact address for Dona Habana is 811 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

[September 2, 2016 update: Eater Boston mentions that Dona Habana has soft-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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Speed's Hot Dog Truck Spotted (with "For Sale" Sign) in Boston's Newmarket Square

A food truck that once sold award-winning hot dogs is back on the streets of Boston, but it is no longer serving food. A ride down to the Newmarket Square section of Boston confirms what a tipster mentioned a few days ago, that Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon (which was later called Boston Super Dog) is sitting on the side of the road just south of Southampton Street with a couple of "For Sale" signs in the windshield and a stack of trash piled up on its front bumper. The truck is just up the street from its old location, where it offered hot dogs that the Wall Street Journal once said were the best in America. The truck was taken off the streets of the city after owner and chef Gregg Gale passed away in October of 2013.

If you would like to take a look at the truck, it is currently in Newmarket Square, across the street from Pier Fish Co.

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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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Gregg Gale of Boston Super Dog Has Passed Away

Sad news to report this morning--the owner of Boston Super Dog has passed away.

A post on the food truck's Facebook page this morning says that "The owner and chef of Boston Super Dog, [Gregg] Gale, has passed away unexpectedly this morning." No other details were given.

Boston Super Dog had formerly been known as Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon, with its home being in the Newmarket Square section of Boston, though it can also be found on Stuart Street and at various festivals and food truck sites. Its website is at http://www.bostonsuperdog.com/

Thanks to Hub Food Trucks for bringing this to our attention.

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Rudi's Resto Cafe in Boston's Newmarket Square Has Closed

A dining spot within a hotel in the Newmarket Square section of Boston has closed its doors, with the reasons for its closure apparently stemming from an incident involving a police chase a couple of months ago.

According to Universal Hub, Rudi's Resto Cafe, which had been located in the Hampton Inn and Suites near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, has shut down because of a "financial nosedive" the restaurant went into following a car chase in which shots were fired. The resultant battle between the owners of Rudi's and the landlord of the space ultimately led to the downfall of the dining spot, according to one of the restaurant owners.

Rudi's Resto Cafe first opened in Newmarket Square in the winter of 2009, featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, a number of classic and New American entrees, and desserts, as well as live music and art shows. An original location of Rudi's had been at Rowes Wharf along the Boston waterfront, but it closed a couple of years ago.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Newmarket Square was: Rudi's Resto Cafe, 811 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

For more information on this story, please go to the Universal Hub link below.

Gun violence claims showcase Roxbury restaurant

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Rudi's Resto Cafe Opens in Newmarket Square

Rudi's Resto Cafe and Catering has opened a second restaurant in the Newmarket Square area of Boston, near where the South End and Roxbury meet. The new Rudi's is located at the Hampton Inn and Suites near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

The new Rudi's will be featuring mostly lighter, healthier fare, including soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.

The original Rudi's is located at Rowes Wharf on the Boston waterfront.

The address for the new Rudi's is:
Rudi's Resto Cafe
811 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02118