Pancho's Cantina in Wilmington Has Closed

A Mexican restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, Pancho's Cantina in Wilmington is no longer in business, with a Facebook post confirming this, saying the following:

After 8 unforgettable years, it is with heavy hearts that we share the news....This journey has been filled with love, flavor, and incredible memories. We've had the privilege of serving this amazing community, and we are so grateful for your support, your stories, and your loyalty. To our staff and to every customer who walked through our doors: thank you!!. You helped make Pancho's more than just a restaurant — you made it feel like home....With love and gratitude, The Pancho’s Cantina Family

Pancho's Cantina was located on a section of Ballardvale Street near the Route 125/Route 93 intersection that mostly consists of office parks and industrial buildings, with little in the way of full-service dining options.

The address for the now-closed Pancho's Cantina was 206 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

(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 Real McCoy Opens in Wilmington

A new dining spot has come to the northern suburbs of Boston, replacing a restaurant that had originally been under the same ownership as the new place.

According to a source, The Real McCoy is now open in Wilmington, moving into the former Michael's Place on Lowell Street. We have been told that the eatery is run by Michael McCoy, who had run Michael's Place before selling it under what the Wilmington Town Crier said was under a 10-year lease. Our source tells us that The Real McCoy is currently open for breakfast and lunch but will be adding dinner service at some point in the future.

The address for The Real McCoy is 110 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565315427850

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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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As Good As It Gets Cafe in Wilmington Has Closed

What had once been a trio of cafes has disappeared from the local landscape, as its final location has shut down.

According to a source as well as a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, As Good As It Gets Cafe in Wilmington is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Lowell Street spot saying the following:

Dear Customers and Friends, It is with heavy hearts that we let the community know that As Good As It Gets Cafe has closed, after 17 successful years. The current owners have chosen to retire, and close the restaurant at this time. We have been blessed to serve our wonderful and loyal Wilmington community for 7 of those 17 years, in an often challenging business. Much of our success is also owed to our outstanding staff, as so many of our regulars can agree. We are sad that we can’t have a proper goodbye as we close down, but we will keep you all in our memories going forward.

In addition to its Wilmington location, there had also been outlets in Acton and Norwood, though they both shut down last year.

The address for As Good As It Gets Cafe in Wilmington was 35 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

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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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Cucina LaRosa's in Wilmington Has Closed

An Italian restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston whose roots date back approximately 50 years has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Cucina LaRosa's in Wilmington is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the Main Street spot saying the following:

After a decade of serving meals in Billerica and Wilmington, and reflecting on our roots in Winchester during the '70s, the time has come to say goodbye. The decision to close our doors has not been easy. Rising costs, both in payroll and food supplies, combined with the challenges of managing a demanding business in our later years, have made it increasingly difficult to continue. We will deeply miss the vibrant relationships we've forged over the last ten years....We are immensely thankful for our dedicated and talented staff, who have been the backbone of Cucina LaRosa's....To our loyal patrons, we cannot express enough gratitude for your support through the years. Your smiles and satisfaction have been our greatest rewards.

Cucina LaRosa's offered a variety of options include pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more.

The address for Cucina LaRosa's was 228 Main Street (Route 38), Wilmington, MA, 01887.

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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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Sunny Side Cafe in Wilmington Is Closing

A longtime breakfast and lunch spot in the northern suburbs of Boston is closing, as its space is slated for development.

The Wilmington Apple is reporting that Sunny Side Cafe plans to shut down on June 16, with the Daily Voice posting an article about it within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page. A Facebook post from the Jefferson Road eatery says the following about the closure:

With a heavy heart I wanted to let everyone know that we will be closing our doors after 23 years in business. We need to make way for new apartments....We want to thank everyone for your business. We will miss everyone. Most have become friends/ family. Collette and Mary will be serving up breakfast at Cucina Larosa's at Wilmington Plaza in the old Panera. Hope we will still see you.

Sunny Side Cafe first opened in 2000, offering such items as bacon and eggs, pancakes, French toast, waffles, omelets, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches, 

The address for Sunny Side Cafe is 2 Jefferson Road, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

[June 29 update: We have confirmation that Sunny Side Cafe is now closed, with a Facebook post indicating that it is now selling off its equipment.]

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

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. 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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Code 1 BBQ Is Opening a Restaurant in Wilmington

The couple behind a barbecue business in the northern suburbs of Boston will be opening their very own brick-and-mortar restaurant.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Code 1 BBQ is planning to open a dining spot in Wilmington, with a Facebook post from co-owner Erica Marchant (that she posted on the Merrimack Valley Eats group page) saying the following:

Our vision for Code 1 BBQ is to continue to create delicious, scratch made smoked meats and sides for our family, friends, neighbors and local communities. We chose Wilmington especially because we live here and are so excited to be apart of the growing business community here. Supporting our community and local business is a priority for us. Sean is an Airforce veteran and that is where our name comes from. He's the pitmaster smoking all the meat and I am the chef working magic in the kitchen.

Code 1, which has been based in Woburn and focusing in part on catering, will take over the space where the Italian restaurant LaRosa's has been; LaRosa's will be reopening in a bigger space in the next few months.

The address for the new Code 1 BBQ restaurant in Wilmington is 211 Main Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887. Its website can be found at https://code1bbq.com/

[January 30, 2023 update: According to its social media, Code 1 BBQ is now open in Wilmington.]

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!

The Habit Burger Grill Opens in Wilmington

An award-winning California-based burger chain has opened its first New England location, and it is in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source (along with an article from The Wilmington Apple), The Habit Burger Grill opens today in Wilmington, moving into a space within a new shopping plaza by the corner of Ballardvale Street and Route 125. The article states that the new location of the burger place includes indoor dining and patio dining along with takeout and contactless pickup, and it has a drive-thru window as well. 

As mentioned here earlier, the chain is known for its "Charburgers," which won best burger in America from Consumer Reports back in 2014. (The restaurant also offers such items as chicken sandwiches, ahi tuna filet sandwiches, tri-tip steak sandwiches, and veggie burgers.)

The Habit Burger Grill first started out in Santa Barbara in 1969.

The address for the new Habit Burger Grill in Wilmington is 196 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.habitburger.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Habit Burger Grill Plans to Open First New England Location in Wilmington

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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Casa Blanca Opens in Wilmington

It looks like another new restaurant has debuted during the height of the coronavirus outbreak, and this one has been in the works for nearly two years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Casa Blanca is now open in Wilmington, taking over the old Chili's space on Route 38. The new restaurant, which appears to have opened over the weekend, is actually part of a small local chain with other locations being found in Andover, Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, and North Andover, and based on the menu shown for the new spot, expect such items as nachos, tortilla soup, taco salads, burritos, quesadillas, flautas, tamales, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, and more--though because it is open for takeout and delivery only, it is not known whether its full menu is being offered right now so it may be worth calling in advance.

Casa Blanca in Wilmington is not the only new dining spot to open during the coronavirus crisis, as a location of Popeyes just opened in West Roxbury as well.

The address for this brand new Mexican restaurant in Wilmington is: Casa Blanca, 207 Main Street (Route 38), Wilmington, MA, 01887. The website for all locations is at https://casablancamexican.com/

[Earlier Article]
Casa Blanca to Open in Former Chili's Space in Wilmington

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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Pie Me Over Is Opening in Wilmington

A new pie shop is coming to the northern suburbs of Boston, and this place will focus more on savory pies.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Pie Me Over is planning to open in Wilmington on November 7, with the Main Street shop's website indicating that it will be offering such options as chicken pot pie, top sirloin pie, chicken curry pie, and veggie pie, and more. Owners Marje Hammond and Feliciano Savilengo opened a pie shop in Las Vegas in 2014, with this essentially being a relocation of that shop from Nevada to Massachusetts. The website for Pie Me Over claims that this is the "first retail pie shop of its kind in Massachusetts and across the country selling unbaked fresh & frozen pies with a variety of crusts."

The address for this new pie shop in Wilmington is: Pie Me Over, 217 Main Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887. Its website can be found at https://www.piemeover.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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The Habit Burger Grill Plans to Open First New England Location in Wilmington

An award-winning California-based burger chain with no presence is New England is opening its first location in the region in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to an article from the Wilmington Apple, The Habit Burger Grill is planning to open in Wilmington, moving into a space within a new shopping plaza by the corner of Ballardvale Street and Route 125. The post says that Adam Quinn of Heidi Burgers, LLC, is partnering with Habit to open the upcoming outlet and he also plans to open locations elsewhere in Middlesex and Essex Counties, though no specifics have been given as of yet. If all goes well, the Wilmington location of The Habit Burger Grill could be opening in the spring of 2020.

The Habit Burger Grill started out in Santa Barbara in 1969 and today has more than 250 locations, most of which are in California. The Wilmington Apple article mentions that their Charburger won best burger in America from Consumer Reports in 2014.

[July 13, 2020 update: The Wilmington Apple mentions that The Habit Burger Grill could be one step closer to opening in Wilmington by this week, as the Board of Selectmen is slated to vote on a common victualler license for the restaurant tonight. (Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for bringing this to our attention.)]

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

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Fifteen Burgers in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Casa Blanca to Open in Former Chili's Space in Wilmington

by Marc Hurwitz

A local group of Mexican restaurants with several locations north of Boston will soon be opening a new one in the space where a location of a Tex-Mex chain had been.

According to a source, Casa Blanca is going to open in Wilmington in the old Chili's space on Route 38, with the dining spot possibly debuting sometime in September. An earlier article from the Wilmington Apple confirms this, saying that it will be joining other locations in Andover, Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, and North Andover.

Casa Blanca, which started out in North Andover in 2006, offers such items as wings, nachos, tortilla soup, taco salads, burritos, quesadillas, flautas, tamales, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, carne asada, grilled salmon, arroz con pollo, and pork carnitas.

The address for this upcoming Mexican restaurant in Wilmington is: Casa Blanca, 207 Main Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887. The website for all of the locations can be found at https://casablancamexican.com/

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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Pancho's Cantina Is Opening in Wilmington

A Mexican restaurant is on its way to an area by Route 93 that has very few full-service dining options.

According to a Craigslist job post, Pancho's Cantina is opening in Wilmington and is now hiring for a variety of positions as it gets ready to open "soon." The post says that the Ballardvale Street eatery will feature Cal-Mex fare along with cocktails, while an earlier Wilmington Apple article mentioned that one of the principal owners (Elisandro "Dan" Chavez) is also one of the people behind Casa Blanca in Andover and North Andover.

Currently, the only dining options in the immediate area (Route 125 near the Route 93 exit) are takeout/counter service spots including Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, Sweet Pizza, and Modash Cafe.

The address for this upcoming Mexican restaurant in Wilmington is: Pancho's Cantina, 206 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

[March 26, 2018 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Pancho's Cantina plans to open for dinner on April 27, with regular hours expected to start on April 28.]

[April 25, 2018 update: A new Facebook post indicates that the opening of Pancho's Cantina has been delayed, with the note saying that "due to issues within the corporation that have now been resolved, we have been pushed back another week or so."]

[April 28, 2018 update: An update from the place indicates that Pancho's Cantina is now looking to open in two weeks.]

[May 22, 2018 update: A new update from the restaurant gives an apparent reason why the opening of Pancho's has been delayed--the post says that the restaurant started out with three business partners and now is down to one, with the sole remaining owner saying that "I, Chef Fonzi, has had to buy out the other 2 partners and I have had to play catch-up and continue to get this restaurant opened on my own. Please bear with me as I am in the final stages of getting Pancho's Cantina opened...."]

[August 15, 2018 update: According to a source, Pancho's Cantina has soft-opened, with a comment from the restaurant within a Facebook thread confirming that it is indeed open from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM each day this week.]

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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Sonic Drive-In in Wilmington Has Closed; Exact Status Unknown

One of the few Boston-area locations of a national chain of drive-ins has closed, and it is not yet known what the future holds for the space.

According to a source, Sonic Drive-In in Wilmington has shut down, with a second source within the restaurant industry confirming that the Main Street eatery has indeed closed. A notice was apparently posted out front last week saying that Sonic had shuttered, though the chain's website still has the location up and it is not known for certain whether this is indeed a permanent closure. (A call placed to the restaurant this evening indicates that its phone is temporarily out of service.)

Sonic first opened in Wilmington in April of 2010, becoming the second outlet to open in the local area (the first location came to Peabody in 2009). Since then, two other shops opened in the region--one in Lawrence [ed note--now closed] and another in Stoughton. The chain, which first started out in the 1950s, is known for such items as burgers, hot dogs, shakes, and limeade.

The address for this now-closed location of Sonic Drive-In is 220 Main Street Wilmington, MA, 01887. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.sonicdrivein.com/

[March 10 update: The Wilmington Apple shows a sign out front at Sonic saying that it is "temporarily closed," referring customers to its Peabody location.]

[March 12 update: One of our sources tells us that a new owner is going before the town board sometime over the next week to take over the Wilmington location of Sonic. If all goes well, the dining spot could be open once again at some point this spring.]

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 Centre Cafe in North Reading Closes, Could Be Moving to Wilmington

A restaurant north of Boston that focused on BBQ has closed, though it may reopen in another space in the region.

According to a post on its Facebook page, The Centre Cafe in North Reading has shut its doors after being in business for seven years, though it mentions that their "next journey" may lead them to Wilmington. The eatery offered a mix of classic American fare and barbecue, with such items as pancakes, French toast, burgers, steak tips, brisket, pulled pork, sausages, and macaroni and cheese served.

As soon as we find out whether the restaurant will indeed be moving to Wilmington (or elsewhere), we will post an update here.

The address for the space that The Centre Cafe had been in was 118 Park Street, North Reading, MA, 01864. And their website can be found at http://www.thecentrecafenr.com/

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Focaccia in Wilmington Closes Abruptly

An Italian restaurant north of Boston has closed, and its closure appears to have been very sudden.

According to an article in the Wilmington Patch, Focaccia in Wilmington shuttered abruptly in November, possibly due to an apparent dispute between ownership and management. Another post in the Wilmington Town Crier says that it appears to have shut down in the late afternoon on a Saturday when people were in the middle of dinner, with folks reportedly being asked to leave and having their food put into takeout containers. A check on Focaccia's website indicates that it is no longer working.

Focaccia was known in part for its previous owners being on a Food Network show called  Chefs vs. City a few years back. The Town Crier mentions that the restaurant was also the site of a party for the cast of the movie The Fighter, which starred actor, music performer, and restaurateur Mark Wahlberg.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Wilmington was: Focaccia, 2 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

Thanks to @jarrodcohen for bringing this to our attention.

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]

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Burtons Grill Group Is Opening the Red Heat Tavern in Wilmington

The folks behind a small local chain of upscale restaurants are going to be opening a brand new dining spot north of Boston.

According to a job post on the Craigslist site, the Burtons Grill restaurant group plans to open the Red Heat Tavern in Wilmington, with the new concept focusing on a "casual approach to modern American cuisine with an open kitchen in an innovative new building." An earlier article from the Wilmington Patch says that the Lowell Street eatery could be opening in March of 2014, while the Craigslist post says early spring.

[March 13, 2014 update: According to a picture posted on Twitter (and confirmed by the restaurant), the Red Heat Tavern opens on March 25.]

The Burtons Grill restaurants offer contemporary American fare in an upscale environment, with the menu including sandwiches, burgers, steak, seafood, and more. Locations of the eateries can be found in Burlington, Hingham, North Andover, Peabody, and Westford, with a few other branches being found in Connecticut, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Virginia. Its website is at http://www.burtonsgrill.com/

The address for the new Red Heat Tavern will be: Red Heat Tavern, 300 Lowell Street (Route 129), Wilmington, MA, 01887.

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Sonic Drive-In Opening in Wilmington

A chain of drive-ins which opened its first Boston-area (and New England) location last summer is bringing a second restaurant to the region. According to O'Sullivan Architects, Sonic Drive-In is currently in the process of being built in Wilmington. The new Sonic will be located on Main Street, north of the center of town and just north of the Wilmington Plaza Shopping Center, based on notes from a planning meeting on the Town of Wilmington website. [April 17 update: According to their Twitter page, Sonic Drive-In is now open in Wilmington--they opened today at 6:00 AM.]

Sonic, which features burgers, hot dogs, chili cheese tots, shakes, and limeade, first started out in the 1950s. They are the largest chain of drive-in restaurants in the United States, and according to an earlier article from the Wilmington Advocate and Wicked Local, they might be opening up to 20 new locations in the Greater Boston area over the next five years (a third Massachusetts location is currently being proposed for Marlborough).

The address for the new branch of Sonic is: Sonic Drive-In, 220 Main Street Wilmington, MA, 01887.

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