Smokey Bones Closes All Locations, Including Taunton and Tyngsboro

All locations of a chain of BBQ spots have closed--including the two remaining locations in Eastern Massachusetts--as the chain has gone out of business.

According to its website, locations of Smokey Bones in Taunton and Tyngsboro are no longer in operation, with both outlets saying that they are closed Monday through Sunday, while a note on the home page says the following about the chain itself:

After 27 incredible years, Smokey Bones has officially closed its doors as of Monday, April 27th. This isn't just the end of a restaurant—it's the closing of a chapter filled with shared meals, celebrations, traditions, and countless memories. From first bites to final toasts, you made this place more than just BBQ—you made it home. We are deeply grateful for every visit, every smile, and every moment you chose to spend with us. Serving this community has been an honor we'll never forget. While the smokers have cooled and the doors are closed, the spirit of what we built together will always stay with us.

An article from the Restaurant Business website says that the now-bankrupt franchising company FAT Brands, which includes Smokey Bones under its umbrella of chains, is having all of its brands being sold except for Smokey Bones, saying that it "will not survive the bankruptcy process."

Smokey Bones, which was originally founded in Florida and became part of FAT Brands in 2023, used to have locations in Peabody and Stoughton as well.

The website for Smokey Bones can be found at https://smokeybones.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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Bahama Breeze in Tyngsboro Has Closed

The sole New England location of a Florida-based chain of Caribbean-themed restaurants has shut down.

According to an article in USA Today, Bahama Breeze in Tyngsboro is no longer in operation, with the Middlesex Road dining spot being one of 15 locations nationwide to close. The article quotes Darden Restaurants spokesperson Kiara Buckner as saying the following:

We continually evaluate the performance of all our restaurants....Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests. However, we believe this is the right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand’s overall performance.

Bahama Breeze got its start in 1996 with a location in Orlando where the chain is headquartered today; they are known for such items as black bean soup, jerk shrimp, empanadas, tostones with chicken, tacos, conch fritters, and Cuban sandwiches.

The address for the now-closed location of Bahama Breeze in Tyngsboro was 413 Middlesex Road, Tyngsborough, MA, 01879.

(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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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.)

Mr. Mac's in Tyngsboro and Westford Have Become Mac-n-Choose

A pair of restaurants northwest of Boston that feature macaroni and cheese now have a new name while continuing to focus on the popular comfort food dish.

According to a source, Mr. Mac's in Tyngsboro and Westford are now Mac-n-Choose, with a September 3 Facebook post saying the following:

...as of October 1, 2021, these 2 Mr. Mac's locations: 1) 440 Middlesex Rd. in Tyngsboro, MA, and 2) 175 Littleton Rd. in Westford, MA ...will no longer be associated with the Mr. Mac's franchise system....We are excited to bring new ideas and options together with our new name to you.

The location of Mr. Mac's in Manchester, NH, will not be going through any changes, while the post above mentioned that Mr. Mac's Gift Cards were able to be redeemed at the Tyngsboro and Westford locations through September 30, at which point they could only be redeemed at Mr. Mac's in Manchester.

An earlier post from the homenewshere.com site states that customers will be able to choose from different types of pasta, Cabot cheeses, and toppings, along with whether it is cooked or oven-ready.

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.)

Mr. Mac's Macaroni & Cheese Is Opening in Tyngsboro

It looks like a pair of New Hampshire dining spots that feature a popular comfort food item will be opening its first location in Massachusetts.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Mr. Mac's Macaroni & Cheese is planning to open in Tyngsboro, with the post stating that the "dynamic, new concept" is currently looking for cooks and dishwashers for its upcoming shop. The restaurant's website shows the Tyngsboro location and also says to "stay tuned… You never know where a new Mr. Mac’s will pop up!" so there could be more outlets on the way at some point.

Mr. Mac's offers a wide variety of macaroni and cheese options, including versions with bacon, chicken, tuna, lobster, shrimp, pulled pork, jalapenos, and more. Its website says that New Hampshire Magazine has awarded the place best mac and cheese in 2011, 2016, and 2017, while the WMUR Viewer's Choice Award also once picked it for best macaroni and cheese--and the Phantom Gourmet has included it among its "8 greatest places" to go for mac and cheese as well.

The address for this upcoming dining spot in Tyngsboro is: Mr. Mac's Macaroni & Cheese, 440 Middlesex Road, Tyngsborough, MA, 01879. Its website can be found at http://mr-macs.com/

[May 25 update: According to a post from Eater Boston, the new Mr. Mac's in Tyngsboro officially opens on Thursday, June 1, though a source tells us that they actually dined at the place this week so it appears that it may be going through a soft opening.]

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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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Boston East India Hotels Purchases Stonehedge Inn and Spa in Tyngsboro

An iconic inn, spa, and restaurant north of Boston has been sold, and it looks like it may get a new name.

The Lowell Sun is reporting that the North Andover-based Boston East India Hotels group purchased the Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro earlier this month, with plans in the works to do major renovations to the place and rebrand it as a part of the Troca Hotels group, which has locations in Brunswick, ME, and Goa, India (more properties in New Orleans and Sri Lanka may be added as well at some point). The article says that the Stonehedge name will "most likely" be kept in one form or another, though no details have been given as of yet.

The Stonehedge Inn & Spa, which was first established back in 1988, includes a 180-seat restaurant called the Left Bank that has a fireside bar and lounge and an award-winning wine list with more than 2,200 wines offered.

The address for the Stonehedge Inn & Spa is 160 Pawtucket Boulevard, Tyngsboro, MA, 01879.

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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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