204 Washington Tavern to Open in the Former 204 Washington Restaurant & Bar Space in East Walpole

A couple of years ago, a longtime neighborhood restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Boston closed down, and now we have learned that a new dining and drinking spot with a similar name is going to be opening in the space.

According to a source, 204 Washington Tavern is planning to open in East Walpole, taking over the former 204 Washington Restaurant & Bar space. A Facebook page for the place shows an image of its exterior, while our source says that signs have been placed on the building over the past few days.

204 Washington Restaurant & Bar closed in the summer of 2024 after being in business for 35 years; several months later there was talk that the people behind Napper Tandy's (which has locations in Walpole, Norwood, and Millis) were planning to open a new restaurant in the space, though it isn't yet known whether they are indeed behind 204 Washington Tavern.

The address for the upcoming 204 Washington Tavern is 204 Washington Street, East Walpole, MA, 02032.

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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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Flying Boar Pizza & Kitchen Opens in Walpole

A new spot that serves pizza and more has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to its Instagram page, Flying Boar Pizza & Kitchen is now open in Walpole, with its address indicating that it has moved into a space on Old Post Road just off Route 1 on the Sharon line (and just south of the Route 95 intersection). The new dining spot offers pizza, wings, empanadas, and sandwiches, and this is the same Flying Boar that started out as a ghost kitchen and caterer at Southwest Park in Westwood a bit more than two years ago, being known in part for its Caribbean-inspired sandwiches.

The address for Flying Boar Pizza & Kitchen is 975 Old Post Road, Walpole, MA, 02081. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/flyingboarpizza/

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The Milkshake Factory Is Opening in Walpole

A franchise of dessert shops whose roots in Pennsylvania date back more than 100 years will be expanding to the Greater Boston area.

According to a source, the MilkShake Factory is planning to open in Walpole, apparently moving into the former GameStop space in the Walpole Mall on Route 1. This will be the first location in Massachusetts, and based on the others, expect to see a variety of milkshakes offered along with sundaes, root beer floats, and "molten cups."

The MilkShake Factory's roots can be traced back to a soda fountain that opened in Pittsburgh back in 1914, with the business now expanding across the country with a number of new outlets in the works; the closest location currently in operation is in Stamford, CT, with another coming soon to nearby Darien.

The website for the MilkShake Factory is at https://www.milkshakefactory.com/ 

[February 19 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, the Walpole location of MilkShake Factory has soft-opened.]

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Blondie's Barbeque Opens in the Former Red Wing Diner Space in Walpole

Last spring, it was reported that a BBQ spot was planning to open in a space southwest of Boston that had been home to a popular diner, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an Instagram post from the place, Blondie's Barbeque is slated to open in the former Red Wing Diners space in Walpole today, saying "Hello There Ladies and Gentlemen, Are You Ready to Rock?!! Blondie's Barbecue opening day is [today] Wednesday 5/21! We'll be open Wed - Sun 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Lunch hours, online ordering and catering to follow." The menu for the new place shows such items as wings, pulled pork, brisket, spare ribs, sausage, smoked turkey, macaroni and cheese, and banana pudding along with beer, wine, and cocktails, and as mentioned in an earlier article, Peter and Patricia Crowley of Café G at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are behind the restaurant.

The Red Wing Diner had been around since the early 1930s, being known in part for such options as fried clams, bar pizza, burgers, and wings.

The address for Blondie's Barbeque is 2235 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. Its website can be found at https://www.blondiesbarbecue.com/

[Earlier Article]
Blondie's Barbeque Plans to Replace the Red Wing Diner in Walpole

(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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Cedar House in Walpole Has Closed

A restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Boston that was known in part for its family-friendly atmosphere, mix of classic and New American fare, and outdoor patio has shut down.

According to a source, the Cedar House in Walpole is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

Cedarhousewalpole has Closed permanently for business as of Sunday December 29th. Management and Staff would like to thank all our customers and the local community for your generous support and loyalty. Our loyal customers made coming to work a joy and we deeply appreciate how you made us feel like part  of your family. Many thanks to all of you whom made Cedarhouse your home and all the friends we have made along the way.

The Cedar House first opened in 2021, replacing a neighborhood bar called the Patriot Tavern.

The address for the now-closed Cedar House was 100 Main Street (route 1A), Walpole, MA, 02081.

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204 Washington Restaurant & Bar in East Walpole Has Closed

A longtime neighborhood restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a Twitter/X post from @PMasalsky, 204 Washington Restaurant & Bar in East Walpole is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the place from June 29 saying the following:

We say goodbye tonight to all our wonderful customers, friends and family. We can't thank you all for the support over this past week and the past 35 years. Carol, Jen, Liz, Ann, and Kathy will be on tonight to serve you one last time. We open at 5, come say goodbye!

204 Washington Restaurant & Bar offered mostly classic American fare and comfort food, including burgers, wings, fish and chips, steak tips, pizza, and fried clams.

The address for 204 Washington Restaurant & Bar was 204 Washington Street, East Walpole, MA, 02032.

[January 31, 2025 update: A Facebook post from Walpole Select Board member Ben Barrett mentions that the people behind Napper Tandy's (which has locations in Walpole, Roslindale, Norwood, and Millis) plan to open a new restaurant in the former 204 Washington Restaurant & Bar space.]

(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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Blondie's Barbeque Plans to Replace the Red Wing Diner in Walpole

Several months ago, it was reported than a landmark diner appeared to have temporarily closed, with a subsequent report indicating that its space was up for sale. Now we have learned that a new restaurant is moving in.

According to a source, Blondie's Barbeque is looking to open in the Walpole space where the Red Wing Diner had been, with Peter and Patricia Crowley of Café G at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston being behind the plans. A Patriot Ledger article mentions that the sale is still pending, though it will likely happen around the end of the month, and the Crowleys plan to redesign the space including replacing the bar area with an ordering counter where customers would place their orders and then find a table and wait for their food.

The Red Wing Diner had been around since the early 1930s, serving such items as fried clams, bar pizza, burgers, and wings, along with beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

The address for the proposed Blondie's Barbeque (and former Red Wing Diner) is 2235 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081.

[Earlier Article]
Red Wing Diner in Walpole Is Temporarily Closed

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Red Wing Diner in Walpole Is Temporarily Closed

An iconic suburban diner that has been around for a long time has shuttered, though it appears to be only a temporary closure.

According to a source, the Red Wing Diner in Walpole is closed for now, with a check on its Facebook page showing a post from a couple of days ago saying it "will be temporary closed for repairs." Multiple phone calls placed to the diner today either went unanswered or had a busy signal, while its website gives no hints as to what may be happening. We have been told by another source that the business has apparently been sold and the new owner has plans to reopen in six to eight weeks, though little else is known at this point in time.

The Red Wing Diner first opened in the early 1930s, serving such items as fried clams, bar pizza, burgers, wings, and more while also offering beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

The address for the Red Wing Diner is 2235 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. Its website can be found at https://redwingdiner.com/

[October 6 update: A Facebook post from Henry Santoro of WGBH indicates that the Red Wing Diner space is now up for sale.]

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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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Shah's Halal Food Is Opening in the Former GG Pizza Company Space in Walpole

A group of Middle Eastern restaurants whose roots are in New York City has expanded to a second location in the Greater Boston area.

According to a tweet from @JeremyKrantz, Shah's Halal Food is getting ready to open in Walpole, taking over the space in the Walpole Mall where GG Pizza Company had been, and before that, a location of Papa Gino's. Based on the other shops, expect to find such options as gyros, a variety of items over rice (including chicken, lamb, and falafel), salads, sandwiches, pita with hummus, baklava, and more, using 100% certified halal products.

The new eatery joins another location in Boston's Fenway/Back Bay along with a number of others on Long Island, north of New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, and elsewhere. (A handful of Shah's food trucks and carts can be found in Queens and elsewhere.)

The address for Shah's Halal Food at the Walpole Mall is 90 Providence Highway (Route 1), East Walpole, MA, 02032. The website for all locations is at https://www.shahshalalfood.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!

Kosmos Opens in Walpole

A brand new Greek restaurant has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it has a connection to  Rhode Island spot.

According to a source, Kosmos is now open in Walpole, with a post from the Destination Downtown Facebook page indicating that the restaurant resides in the Main Street space that had been home to  Sapore Vero. Based on information from our source and the Facebook post, it appears that Kosmos is an upscale spot that focuses on modern Greek cuisine (its menu shows such items as saganaki, lamb chops, grilled octopus, and pork skewers), and Destination Downtown also says that the people behind it run Christopher's Kitchen and Bar in Woonsocket.

The address for Kosmos is 944 Main Street, Walpole, MA, 02081. The website for the restaurant can be found at https://kosmoswma.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!

Jersey Mike's Subs Is Opening Locations in Hingham, Randolph, and Walpole

A New Jersey-based chain of sub shops continues its rapid expansion through the Greater Boston area, with at least three more outlets on the way.

According to its "coming soon" page, Jersey Mike's Subs is planning to open shops in Hingham, Randolph, and Walpole, joining others in the local area in Beverly, Dedham, Quincy, Stoughton, and Swampscott, along with a soon-to-open location in Bedford and further out, another upcoming store in Newburyport. Based on information from their website, the Hingham location will be along Route 3A across from the shipyard, the Randolph outlet will be in a strip mall where Route 139 west meets Route 28, and the Walpole location will be just off Route 1 where it intersects Route 95.

Jersey Mike's Subs, which was established in Point Pleasant, NJ, in 1956, offers hot and cold subs including cheese steaks, tuna, Italians, and BLTs.

The website for Jersey Mike's can be found at https://www.jerseymikes.com/

[April 18 update: Wicked Local states that the Randolph location of Jersey Mike's Subs is slated to have its grand opening on Wednesday, April 21, with all proceeds from that day going to the Friendly Food Pantry of Randolph.]

[May 21 update: According to its website, the Walpole location of Jersey Mike's Subs is now open.]

[June 7 update: According to its website, the Hingham location of Jersey Mike's 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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The Patriot Tavern in Walpole Is for Lease

It looks like a roadside watering hole in the southwest suburbs of Boston is on the market.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Patriot Tavern in Walpole is for lease, with another Facebook post showing this while a listing within the Bisquest site seems to confirm this as well. The listing mentions that seller of the Route 1A property wants a quick sale and that it is in "turn key condition," while also saying "just bring your concept."

The structure in which the Patriot Tavern was housed dates back approximately a century, with the former Patriot Tavern being a dive bar until a few years ago when it was reborn under new ownership as a dining and drinking spot with such items as steak tips, wings, burgers, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, and brick chicken.

The address for the Patriot Tavern space is 100 Main Street (Route 1A), Walpole, MA, 02081.

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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GG Pizza Company Opens in Former Papa Gino's Space in Walpole

A new spot for pizza and more has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it has taken over the space where a location of a local pizza chain had been.

According to a source, GG Pizza Company is now open in Walpole, moving into the former Papa Gino's space in the Walpole Mall. Based on its Facebook page and website, the new eatery is a family-owned restaurant that offers pizza, pasta dishes, sandwiches, calzones, seafood items, and more.

The address for this new dining spot at the Walpole Mall is: GG Pizza Company, 90 Providence Highway (Route 1), East Walpole, MA, 02032. Its website can be found at https://ggpizzaco.com/

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

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Fifteen Pizzas to Try in the Boston Area]

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Westbury Farms in Walpole Has Closed

A pair of family-friendly restaurants known in part for breakfast dishes is down to just one, as one of the locations has very quietly closed.

According to a source, Westbury Farms in Walpole has shut down, with another source confirming this, sending a photo of a sign out front that says the Main Street eatery closed for good on November 4 while referring customers to the Norwood location on Route 1. No reason has been given for its closure, nor is it known what might go into the space, so keep checking back for updates as they come in.

The Walpole location of Westbury Farms has been in business for a couple of decades, offering items such as omelets, French toast, pancakes, waffles, burgers, hot dogs, tuna melts, clam rolls, Western sandwiches, and more.

The address for the now-closed Walpole location of Westbury Farms was 925 Main Street, Walpole, MA, 02081.

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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Beacons Restaurant Is Opening in Walpole

A new restaurant is opening in the southwestern suburbs of Boston, and its name appears to be a familiar name in the local area.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Beacons Restaurant is planning to open in Walpole, with the address indicating that it may be taking over the former British Beer Company space on Route 1. The listing mentions that it will be a new concept, though other posts on social media hint that his could be a rebirth of sorts of the long-closed Beacon Restaurant in Norwood, including one poster saying "We welcome the Beacon back!!!" If all goes as planned, Beacons Restaurant (which is also showing up in places as "Beacon's Restaurant") could be opening in September.

The Walpole location of British Beer Company closed toward the end of 2017.

The address for this new dining spot in Walpole is: Beacons Restaurant, 85 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02032. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Beacons-Restaurant-106486040695744/

[October 24 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Beacons Restaurant is now open in Walpole.]

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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Tessie's Bar and Kitchen Opens in Walpole

A new restaurant and bar has come to Boston's southwest suburbs, and it has a connection to a couple of Irish pubs--including one on the same block.

According to a message sent from the place, Tessie's Bar & Kitchen is now open in Walpole, with the owners also being behind The Raven's Nest--which is two doors down--and The Mad Raven in Waltham. The menu shows that the new dining and drinking spot offers a mix of American classics, comfort food, and pub grub including soft pretzels, wings, burgers, chicken sandwiches, steak tips, turkey tips, and macaroni and cheese.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Walpole is: Tessie's Bar & Kitchen, 1006 Main Street, Walpole, MA, 02081. Its website can be found at https://tessiesbar.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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Chick-fil-A Plans to Open in Walpole

by Marc Hurwitz

A controversial chain of chicken spots is looking to open another location in the Greater Boston area, with this one being southwest of the city.

The Walpole Times is reporting that Georgia-based Chick-fil-A is planning to open at the Walpole Mall on Route 1, with the dining spot possibly having seating for 120 inside and a small outdoor area with 16 additional seats. This outlet would join others in Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Marlboro, and Peabody along with six other shops in Massachusetts.

Chick-fil-A was in the local news several years ago when former Boston mayor Thomas Menino said he wouldn't allow the chain to open within the city because of the CEO's opposition to same-sex marriage. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/

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British Beer Company in Walpole Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A small local chain of British pubs is getting ready to close one of its locations.

According to a letter from the business, British Beer Company is shutting down its Walpole outlet, with a post on its Facebook page indicating that the closure--which will take place on Christmas Eve--is due to the fact that they couldn't reach an agreement with the landlord. It appears that all other locations will remain in operation, including outlets in Cedarville, Danvers, Falmouth, Framingham, Franklin, Hyannis, Pembroke, Plymouth, Sandwich, Westford, Worcester, Manchester, NH, and Portsmouth, NH.

The address for the soon-to-close British Beer Company in Walpole is 85 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02032. The website for the chain can be found at: http://www.britishbeer.com/

Thanks to a source for bringing this to our attention.

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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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Finnegan's Wake in Walpole Is Moving to a New Home

A difficult-to-find Irish pub that has been featured on our sister site has closed its doors, but it is reopening in a new space.

According to a source, Finnegan's Wake in Walpole is no longer in business, with the Facebook page for the Glenwood Avenue spot confirming that it shut down last month, saying that "We both have been so lucky to have made so many friends here....now we move forward to our new location!!! (Which should be announced soon)" Finnegan's Wake, which had been located in the basement of an old foundry, has been mentioned as an under-the-radar spot on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site, with the review being found here:

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

The address for the now-closed location of Finnegan's Wake was 7 Glenwood Avenue (East Street), Walpole, MA, 02081.

[September 5 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that Finnegan's Wake has found a new home; it is reopening at 685 Main Street (Route 1A) in Rocky's Plaza, which is a short distance north of Walpole Center.]

[February 14, 2018 update: According to a tweet from @NewEnglandInfo, Finnegan's Wake is now open in its new home.]

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Walpole Restaurant Receives a Wave of Support After Being Target of Possible Hate Crime

A community southwest of Boston is coming to the defense of the family behind a local restaurant after they were allegedly targeted because of their heritage.

According to an article from Fox 25 Boston (WFXT), a picture posted on Facebook of a pickup truck with a Donald Trump sign in front of Jalapeno's Grill in Walpole--and including the comment "They're paying for the wall!"--was put up on November 3, which led the daughter of the restaurant's owner to share it to her followers, ushering in a wave of support for the family and their Main Street dining spot. The person who put up the post has since removed it from Facebook, but Fox 25 says that police are investigating this as a possible hate crime.

In the daughter's Facebook post she says "My dad has been a small business owner in Walpole for over 10 years. He has been a legal citizen for well over 20. He shouldn't have to walk out the front door of a place he has worked so hard to build to be greeted with hateful words and bogus requests....I don't know what the answers are to the majority of our problems as a country but I do know one thing: He isn't it." Her post has since been shared more than 1,000 times, with more than 600 comments given, including such messages as "Our next family dinner out is at your restaurant. Sending you healing thoughts in the meantime," "I am ashamed that this happened; it's not what I believe America is," and "I guess on my next trip to Mass I have a new business to visit."

The address for Jalapeno's Grill is 960 Main Street, Walpole, MA, 02081. Its website can be found at http://www.jalapenosweb.com/

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