Maxine's On Saint James in Roxbury Has Closed

It looks like a Southern-style dining spot in a Boston neighborhood has shut down.

According to a source, Maxine's On Saint James in Roxbury is no longer in business, with a check on the website for the Dudley Street place indicating that the site has been taken down, and we have been told that a new Latin American eatery called Grace's is apparently open in its space, though little information is available for that spot. Maxine's offered such items as potato salad, jambalaya, etouffee, fried boneless pork chops, wings, macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, banana pudding, and bread pudding.

The address for the now-closed Maxine's (and the new Grace's) is 304 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119.

(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 Mix Vault May Open in Roxbury

The people behind a Dorchester dining spot may be opening a restaurant and speakeasy with a similar name in Roxbury.

According to a licensing committee hearing page within the City of Boston website, The Mix Vault is looking to open on Shawmut Avenue, with the address indicating that it would move into a space about a block away from Malnea Cass Boulevard. The notice mentions that the proposed place would have a takeout area and a kitchen along with a "hidden" door that leads to a bar with seating for 25 and a speakeasy, and the manager listed is Rufus Faulk who is one of the owners of The Mix on Talbot Avenue in the Ashmont/Peabody Square area. Based on that restaurant, The Mix Vault could be offering a mix of Southern fare and New England seafood dishes, but more should be known once the meeting takes place next week.

The address for The Mix Vault would be 720 Shawmut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119. The website for The Mix in Dorchester is at https://www.mixboston.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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District 7 Cafe Opens in Roxbury

A new cafe has come to a Boston neighborhood, and it is under the same ownership as an adjacent bar.

According to an article from boston.com, District 7 Cafe is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Warren Street that is next door to District 7 Tavern. Both spots are run by Royal Smith (Urban Food & Beverage, Boston Black Hospitality Coalition), with the cafe offering breakfast pastries along with coffee and tea, and eventually, alcohol which plans to be served at brunch.

The address for District 7 Cafe is 376 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/district7cafe/

(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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Xi'an Famous Foods Opens Ghost Kitchen in Roxbury

A number of year ago, it was reported that an award-winning group of Chinese restaurants based in New York City known in part for their hand-pulled noodles might be looking to expand to Boston, and now we have learned that it has finally happened, though only as a takeout/delivery spot.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Xi'an Famous Foods is now open in Roxbury as a ghost kitchen, with the business operating out of a shared facility on Shirley Street a few blocks west of Massachusetts Avenue and South Bay, and around the corner from Bully Boy Distillers. We have been told that this is a company-owned location (not a franchise) and that according to the business, "the taste will be just like the stores in NYC."

In addition to hand-pulled noodles, Xi'an Famous Foods--which has received accolades from such publications as Bon Appetit, Forbes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Out--also offers dumplings and burgers on flatbread buns.

The address for the Xi'an Famous Foods ghost kitchen is 94 Shirley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for the business is at https://www.xianfoods.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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Several New Restaurants Being Proposed for Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain

It looks like some new restaurants could be coming to sections of Boston that tend to be underrepresented when it comes to dining and drinking.

According to an article from Universal Hub, at least five new dining spots are being proposed for Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain, including Cool Shade Jamaican, which is seeking a full liquor license to open at 388 Blue Hill Avenue in Grove Hall; AAA Restaurant, an Hispanic food spot that is also seeking an all-alcohol license to operate at 3141 Washington Street on the Jamaica Plain side of Egleston Square; Doune & Pepe, a Caribbean fusion tapas-style restaurant that would open at 657 Washington Street in Codman Square, an as-of-yet unnamed West Indian dining spot that is seeking a liquor license to operate at 300 Warren Street in Roxbury, and a restaurant that the nonprofit organization Embrace Boston would open at 1200 Tremont Street in Roxbury.

More should be known about the progress of all of these restaurants over the coming weeks, so keep checking back for updates.

(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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Soul on Shawmut Has Opened in Roxbury

A new spot for soul food has come to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Soul on Shawmut is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space just west of Melnea Cass Boulevard on Shawmut Avenue. The menu for the new restaurant shows such options as burgers, steak and cheese subs, a chopped cheese sandwich, wings, fried chicken, rice and beans, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams, Detroit pizza, buffalo chicken eggrolls, collard green gumbo, and more.

The address for Soul on Shawmut is 722a Shawmut Ave, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at https://www.soulonshawmut.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/soulonshawmut/

(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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Soleil in Roxbury Has Closed

A Southern-style restaurant in Roxbury has closed after being in business for a bit under six years.

According to multiple sources, Soleil in Nubian Square is no longer in business, with Eater Boston confirming (via the restaurant's website) that the Washington Street spot is shuttered--and the closing follows the shutting down of Soleil's outpost at Boston Public Market last spring. Soleil, which first opened in the spring of 2018, was known for such options as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, brisket, turkey wings, po'boys, and more.

The address for the now-closed Soleil in Nubian Square was 2306 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119.

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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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Pancho's Taqueria Opens in Roxbury

Last month it was reported that a local pair of Mexican restaurants was down to one, but now we have learned that there are two locations once again, as a new one has opened in a Boston neighborhood.

A message sent to us indicates that Pancho's Taqueria is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Shirley Street a short distance west of South Bay and Newmarket. This comes on the heels of an outlet in Needham shutting down after being in business since 2019, with a social media post from the place referring people to its original location in Dedham.

The address for the new location of Pancho's Taqueria in Roxbury is 94 Shirley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Pancho's is at https://www.panchostaqueria.com/

[Earlier Article]
Pancho's Taqueria in Needham Has Closed

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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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Pasta Tana's Opens in Roxbury

A brand new Italian takeout/delivery place has come to an industrial area not too far from the Southeast Expressway.

According to a post within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Pasta Tana's is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Shirley Street near Newmarket Square and South Bay, and around the corner from Bully Boy Distillers. The menu for the spot shows such options as spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pesto, bolognese, fettuccine alfredo, panini, acai bowls, and more.

The address for Pasta Tana's is 94 Shirley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at https://pastatanas.com/

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Nubian Markets Opens in Roxbury

A new cafe, butchery, and grocery store that focuses on being a community center of sorts has come to a Boston neighborhood that has been seeing its share of redevelopment of late.

Eater Boston is reporting that Nubian Markets is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Washington Street in Nubian Square. The website for the business indicates that owners Ismail Samad and Yusuf Yassin hope to connect to longtime residents of the neighborhood, saying that they "look forward to contributing to the efforts that have been long standing in Roxbury, to create a destination that is grounded in the flavors and culture of the people who have been here for generations."

Nubian Markets offers foods of the African diaspora, with its halal options featuring regional African fare; its cafe serves such items as lamb couscous, chickpea peanut stew, jerk chicken, injera and lentils, black-eyed pea fritters, peri peri chicken, harissa lamb, and more.

The address for Nubian Markets is 2565 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at https://www.nubianmarkets.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!

Jazz Urbane Cafe Still Planning to Open in Roxbury

A few years ago, it was reported that a cafe featuring live music could be coming to an historic building in Roxbury. Now we have learned that the plans are still on the table and appear to be moving forward.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Jazz Urbane Cafe continues to look at opening within the Ferdinand storefront section of the Bolling Building in Nubian Square. The people behind the proposed spot--Nia Grace of Darryl's Corner Kitchen & Bar, Berkeley Professor Bill Banfield, and entrepreneur Turahn Dorsey--will need to get approval for a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeal due to a lack of parking, as well as licenses to serve food and drink. If they get the green light to open, the new spot would feature live jazz music from both local and national performers (including acts from Banfield's Jazz Urbane record label) while the space may also be used for community events.

As mentioned earlier, the Bolling Building dates back to the 1880s.

The website for Jazz Urbane Cafe can be found at jazzurbanecafe.com

[Earlier Article]
Jazz Urbane Cafe Could Be Opening in Roxbury's Dudley Square

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!

Madhouse Cafe Is Opening in Roxbury

A new cafe is on its way to a Boston neighborhood, and it is affiliated with a shop that builds and repairs motorcycles.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Madhouse Cafe is planning to open in Roxbury, debuting in a space on Blue Hill Avenue that is next to Madhouse Motors. The post mentions that owner Julia Shia--who also runs the motorcycle shop--will serve coffee and pastries from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday within the eight-seat cafe. The Boston Licensing Board was slated to give a decision on granting a food-service license to Madhouse Cafe today; if approved, the cafe is planning to have a grand opening on Saturday, November 5.

The address for Madhouse Cafe is 24 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Madhouse Motors can be found at http://www.madhousemotors.com/

[November 14 update: According to its social media pages, Madhouse Cafe 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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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!

Mario's Pizzeria in Roxbury Has Closed

A pizzeria that was known for its New York-style pizza with Portuguese influences has closed down.

A message sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub mentions that Mario's Pizzeria in Roxbury has shut its doors permanently, with a Facebook post from the Humboldt Avenue spot saying the following:

This has been a tough decision to make given the amazing support from the community over the past 3.5 years. We are so very grateful and will miss all our loyal customers. We are selling to another local pizza shop operator so there is more to come from 197 Humboldt. We hope you can show them the love you have given us. Owning a small business is never easy and it's the customers who make the work worth it.

Mario's first opened in July of 2018. offering pizza with toppings that included ground chourico, kalamata olives, anchovies, marinated artichokes, shrimp, prosciutto, and burrata, while also serving salted cod croquettes, fried turnovers, a haddock dinner, and more.

The address for Mario's Pizzeria was 197 Humboldt Avenue, Roxbury, MA, 02121.

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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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 Underground Cafe + Lounge Is Opening at Northeastern University in Boston

The person behind a restaurant and lounge that focuses on Southern-style food is opening another dining spot nearby, with this one being located within a student apartment complex.

According to an article from boston.com, The Underground Cafe + Lounge has soft-opened on the ground floor of LightView, a Columbus Avenue building in the South End/Roxbury section of the city that houses Northeastern University students. Owner Nia Grace, who also runs Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen on Columbus Avenue, plans to make the all-day cafe both a restaurant and a community space while offering entertainment as well, and some of the dishes from Darryl's are being offered here as well, including baked macaroni and cheese. Other menu items include southern egg pies with ham and cheddar cheese, chili, seafood gumbo, pulled pork melts, BBQ chicken flatbreads, and more.

The Underground Cafe + Lounge is currently hosting an art installation with artwork from youths who are involved with Artists for Humanity, while the plan is to also have acoustic nights at some point in the near future; for now, the restaurant's website indicates that the soft opening plans to continue until October 1, with hours currently being 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, while full hours are slated to begin on October 4 (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays).

The address for The Underground Cafe + Lounge (which will be open to both students and the general public) is 742 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02120. The website for the dining spot can be found at https://www.theundergroundboston.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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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.)

Bintimani to Leave Roxbury After Eviction, Will Reopen in Providence

A beloved West African restaurant in Boston is saying farewell to the city after being evicted from its space, and it will be reborn in Providence.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Bintimani in Roxbury's Nubian Square (formerly Dudley Square) has lost its home on Harrison Avenue and has been given 30 days to leave the space. The post says that owner Sahr Josiah-Faeduwor and his family will be opening the Sierra Leonean restaurant back up on Westminster Street in the heart of downtown Providence this summer and that he hopes to "innovate with food and inspire other entrepreneurs." The original location of Bintimani first opened approximately 12 years ago and has been known for such dishes as cassava leaves, black-eyed peas, fish stew, pepper soup with chicken, beef patties, kebabs, fried chicken, and more.

The old address for Bintimani was 1127 Harrison Avenue in Roxbury, while the new address will be 326 Westminster Street in Providence.

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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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.)

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Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury Has Opened Back Up

Back in June, it was reported that a non-profit restaurant that had closed its doors would be reopening, and now we have learned that it is up and running once again--and some changes have come with the opening.

According to a press release, Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury's Nubian Square (formerly Dudley Square) has soft-opened, with a grand reopening slated to take place on February 1. The release mentions that the Dade Street eatery now has a new general manager and business plan, a new menu that includes bowl-based meals along with some old favorites, a renovated interior, and a new "Friends of Haley House Bakery Cafe" initiative in which locals in the community offer financial support to the place, though the overall mission of the cafe--to help support the Roxbury community in a variety of ways, including the training and employing of local residents who are faced with limited work options--remains the same.

The address for Haley House Bakery Cafe is 12 Dade Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Haley House itself, which is a nonprofit community organization that has been around since 1966, can be found at http://haleyhouse.org while the cafe's site is at http://haleyhouse.org/hhbc/

[Earlier Article]
Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury Is Reopening

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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Golden Krust Is Opening in Roxbury

A chain of Jamaican restaurants is opening a second Boston location--and what will likely be the third outlet in the local area.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill (which is also known as Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant) is looking to open in Roxbury, with the address indicating that it will be coming to a space on Warren Street in the Dudley Square area. If it gets approval to open, the new location of the chain will join an outlet in Mattapan, and another location that has been in the works for awhile may finally open in Brockton early next year. (Another location can be found in Springfield.)

The New York-based Golden Krust is known in part for its Jamaican beef patties, along with such items as stewed chicken, braised oxtail, curried goat, and whole fish.

The address for the new location of  Golden Krust in Roxbury is 41 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.goldenkrust.com/

[December 12 update: An article from Hoodline indicates that the Roxbury location of Golden Krust 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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Boba Me Opens in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood

A bubble tea spot has come to a part of Boston that is starting to see more and more dining options.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Boba Me is now open on Tremont Street in a section of Mission Hill between Brigham Circle and Roxbury Crossing, with the place offering such options as smoothies, milk teas, green teas, and classic teas. The post mentions that Boba Me will also offer "flaming hot cheese fries" at some point, with the menu for the spot saying that those will be coming soon.

The stretch of Tremont Street in which Boba Me resides has seen such recent openings as Nachlo and Milkweed, and a board game cafe called Tavern of Tales is in the works there as well.

The address for Boba Me is 1520 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02120. Its website can be found at https://www.bobameboston.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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Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury Is Reopening

Earlier this year, it was learned that a beloved non-profit restaurant was shutting down after nearly 15 years in business, though at the time it was hoped that the place could reopen at some point. Now we have learned that it will indeed be returning.

According to Facebook posts from the spot, Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury''s Dudley Square plans to reopen later this year and is now looking to hire a General Manager for the Dade Street eatery. The Facebook page also shows that the cafe wishes to know what the community needs and wants as it gets ready to relaunch, having a link to a survey within the page. A specific reopening date has not been given as of yet, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

Haley House Bakery Cafe, which first opened in 2005, has been known over the years as a place to get healthy food items in a community-oriented space while offering opportunities to those who have limited employment options.

The address for Haley House Bakery Cafe is 12 Dade Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Haley House itself, which is a nonprofit community organization that has been around since 1966, can be found at http://haleyhouse.org/

[December 3 update: The Boston Globe states that Haley House Bakery Cafe plans to soft-open in the middle of December, with an official opening taking place in January; the article also mentions that a new menu is being set up that will include old faves along with new items with international influences.]

[Earlier Article]
Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury to Close; Hopes to Reopen Later This Year

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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Nachlo Opens in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood

A new dining spot has come to the Mission Hill section of Boston, and it features an interesting mix of foods.

Eater Boston confirms what a couple of sources had told us earlier, that Nachlo is now open on Tremont Street near the Roxbury Crossing T station, and as the sources mentioned, the restaurant offers a mix of Pakistani and Mexican fare. The menu for the new spot includes such items as naan, kebabs, lamb kofta, chicken biryani, nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, guacamole, and more, and it is open for lunch and dinner daily.

The address for this new Pakistani and Mexican and Mexican restaurant in Mission Hill is: Nachlo, 1443 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02120.

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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