Rice Away Thai Express in Brighton Has Closed

A Thai restaurant in Boston that was known for its buffet has shut down after being in business for approximately a year and a half.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Rice Away Thai Express in Brighton is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street eatery saying the following:

Thank you so much for all the love and support you've given us over the years. Every visit and every kind word has meant so much to our team....this is not the end. We're excited to share that a new restaurant is coming soon. Please stay tuned, and we can't wait to welcome you again very soon!

It is not yet known what the new restaurant might be, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for Rice Away Thai Express was 296 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

(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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Sora Sushi & Seafood Buffet Is Opening in the Former Minado Restaurant Space in Natick

Several months ago, it was reported that a popular buffet spot west of Boston has shut down, and now we have learned that a new buffet place is moving in.

According to Kiat Cormier who posted on the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Sora Sushi & Seafood is looking to open in Natick, taking over the former Minado Restaurant space on Route 9. A What Now Boston article mentions that the new eatery hopes to open around the end of February and in addition to sushi and seafood dishes, it will also offer such options as Chinese entrees, Korean barbecue items, and desserts.

Minado closed in September of 2024 after being in business for 21 years.

The address for Sora Sushi & Seafood is 1282 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760.

[April 21 update: According to a source (Gary Goldblatt) and an Instagram post from the place, Sora Sushi & Seafood is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Minado Restaurant in Natick Has Closed

(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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Minado Restaurant in Natick Has Closed

A popular buffet spot west of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, Minado Restaurant in Natick is no longer in business, with a note on the website for the Route 9 restaurant saying the following:

With a heavy heart, we announce that after 21 incredible years, Minado Restaurant in Natick, MA, will close its doors permanently on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. We are deeply grateful to all who have supported us throughout the years and are thankful for allowing us the privilege of serving you.

Minado was known for its all-you-can-eat buffet which featured sushi and seafood dishes.

The address for the now-closed Minado Restaurant was 1282 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760.

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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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Midwest Grill in Saugus Has Closed; Space on the Market

An all-you-can-eat restaurant on Route 1 has closed its doors, and its space is now available.

According to a message sent from The Passionate Foodie, the Midwest Grill in Saugus is shuttered, and its space is now on the market based on a sign out front. Another note from Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting mentions this as well, while a real estate listing from LoopNet gives some detailed information on what they say is the "Former Midwest Grill" space.

The Midwest Grill on Route 1 was a Brazilian rodizio that featured a salad bar and buffet along with a variety of meats cut tableside; its original location can be found in the Inman Square section of Cambridge.

The address for the now-closed Midwest Grill in Saugus was 910 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906. The website for the business is at https://midwestgrillrestaurant.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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What the Future Might Hold for Salad Bars and Buffets

As some states get ready to open up in phases--and Massachusetts also looks at a possible lifting of restrictions later this month--one question that seems to be coming up is, what will become of restaurants that focus at least in part on salad bars and buffets in a post-pandemic world?

While many dining spots offer salad bars and buffets as only a small part of their offerings and can probably pivot to focusing solely on freshly-made meals (think Indian and Chinese restaurants that offer weekday lunch buffets or dining spots that offer weekend brunch buffets), other eateries such as Brazilian steakhouses that are known mainly for their buffets may have to redo their concepts, while conveyor-belt sushi places--while not technically considered to be buffets--may also have to do the same because having multiple diners be too close to food is an obvious problem. The main issue with salad bars and buffets (and conveyor belt restaurants) is the self-service aspect of them; an NBC Connecticut article indicates how this is such a concern, saying that food and restaurant organizations in that state are looking into measures that could include prohibiting self-service areas in restaurants, including salad bars and buffets, as dining spots get ready to reopen.

With the coronavirus not going away anytime soon, are salad bars and buffets going to become a thing of the past? Maybe not, but until a vaccine becomes available, don't expect to see them anytime soon in Massachusetts or most other states, for that matter.

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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Sichuan's Garden in Waltham Has Closed

A longtime Chinese restaurant known in part for its buffet has shut down, and an auction is soon slated to take place there.

According to a source, Sichuan's Garden in Waltham is now closed, with a Facebook post within the Bring Retail to Waltham group page showing (via Anthony Susi and The Boston Herald) a notice of an auction scheduled on the premises on January 27. The notice also indicates that the Waverley Oaks Road restaurant has shuttered because the owner is retiring, though it isn't yet known what might be going into the space at this point in time.

Sichuan's Garden first opened in 1995, offering an all-you-can-eat buffet along with a la carte menu items that included mostly Chinese-American fare.

The address for the now-closed Sichuan's Garden was 411 Waverley Oaks Road (Suite 109), Waltham, MA, 02452.

[January 21 update: A post within the E.F. Smith site indicates that the Sichuan's Garden auction has been canceled, though no reason has been given for the cancellation as of yet.]

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

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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New China Pearl in Woburn Is Closing

A suburban Chinese restaurant known in part for its dim sim is closing.

According to multiple sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, New China Pearl in Woburn is shutting down, confirming what a source had told us a few weeks ago. A post from the Mishawum Road spot confirms the closure, saying that "due to our lease ending at the end of July, we will be closing our doors with the last day of service being July 16."

New China Pearl opened 11 years ago, offering a lunch buffet and a variety of Chinese-American and Chinese appetizers and entrees along with dim sum.

The address for this soon-to-close Chinese restaurant in Woburn is: New China Pearl, 288 Mishawum Road, Woburn, MA, 01801.

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--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Flaming Grill & Buffet Opens in Roslindale

A brand new Chinese-American buffet spot has come to a Boston neighborhood, and it has a connection to another restaurant north of the city.

Universal Hub is reporting that Flaming Grill & Buffet is now open in Roslindale, moving into a space at the Stop & Shop mall on the American Legion Highway. The post says that the restaurant features such items as hot and sour soup, egg drop soup, crab rangoon, dumplings, oysters, shrimp, crawfish, and chicken with vegetables, and the place also has a sushi bar, a hibachi area, and American comfort food such as macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, pizza, fries, prime rib, fried dough, and ice cream.

A place under the same ownership called Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet can be found in Revere.

The address for this new buffet spot in Roslindale is: Flaming Grill & Buffet, 950 American Legion Highway, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Steam Flavor Opens in Former Power Cafe Space in Watertown

A new Brazilian restaurant has come to the western suburbs of Boston, and it takes over the space where a cafe that was staffed and run by people with disabilities had been.

The Watertown TAB is reporting that Steam Flavor is now open in Watertown, moving into the former Power Cafe space on Lexington Street. The article says that the new dining spot offers a buffet that includes local cuts of beef, chicken, and pork along with a salad bar, with diners weighing their plates and being charged $7.49 per pound. According to the article, Steam Flavor co-owner Roni Louzada hopes to open more locations of Steam Flavor, focusing on neighborhoods that have a Brazilian population but are not well-represented with Brazilian dining spots.

Power Cafe closed last fall after being in business for approximately a year.

The address for the new Steam Flavor is 45 Lexington Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. Its website can be found at http://steamflavorrestaurant.com/

[Earlier Article]
Power Cafe in Watertown 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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Old Country Buffet in Watertown Closes; Liquidation Auction Taking Place Today

A chain of buffet restaurants has officially disappeared from the local dining scene, as its last Boston-area location has closed down following a bankruptcy filing.

According to a post from Auction Nation, Old Country Buffet at the Watertown Mall in East Watertown is now shuttered, with the Arsenal Street eatery having a liquidation auction today. An article from Reuters indicates that the closing of the Watertown spot comes two days after Buffets LLC--which operates under the Ovation Brands name--filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with the filing including Old Country Buffet, Fire Mountain, HomeTown Buffet, Ryan's, and Tahoe Joe's. This was the last outlet of Old Country Buffet in the Greater Boston area, and it appears that the Dartmouth location may have closed as well, as it has been taken off the chain's website; if so, the chain no longer has any locations in the entire state of Massachusetts.

The address for the now-closed Old Country Buffet in East Watertown was 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.oldcountrybuffet.com/

Thanks to one of our readers for bringing this to our attention.

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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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Brunello Bistro in Somerville to Become Brunello Brazilian Steakhouse and Buffet

A cafe-style eatery in Somerville that morphed into more of an upscale European-style dining spot a couple of years ago is changing its concept once again, this time becoming a Brazilian steakhouse and buffet place.

According to their website, Brunello Bistro on Broadway in the Winter Hill section of the city is soon going to be replaced by Brunello Brazilian Steakhouse and Buffet, though no specific opening date has been given. A poster on the Chowhound site mentions that the dining spot is currently closed for renovations, with a note out front telling customers to "check back in a few weeks."

[May 21 update: Eater Boston is reporting that Brunello Brazilian Steakhouse and Buffet plans to open on Friday, June 1.]

Brunello Bistro first opened in the spring of 2010, having changed over from Bread and Company, which was a cafe operated by the same folks. It appears that based on the name, the same people will also apparently be behind the upcoming Brunello Brazilian Steakhouse and Buffet.

The address for this soon-to-open restaurant in Somerville's Winter Hill neighborhood is: Brunello Brazilian Steakhouse and Buffet, 349 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145. The website for the now-closed Brunello Bistro is at: http://www.brunellobistro.com/

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News Elsewhere: Texas-Based Souper Salad Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

A Texas-based salad buffet chain has filed for bankruptcy, citing a drop in consumer confidence and "prolonged headwinds."

According to the Nation's Restaurant News, the parent company of Souper Salad filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday and is currently looking at options for the business. The article mentions that the chain has been closing locations and trying to cut down on overhead and supply-chain expenses, as well as trying some new marketing to increase business, but finally decided that reorganization would be the best way to go. The parent company (SSI Holding Group Corp.) sees business continuing as usual during the reorganization process.

While Boston has a couple of restaurants called Souper Salad (on Berkeley Street and Brookline Avenue), neither is connected with the Texas company, as the Boston locations are part of a local company called Fresh Concepts, which also runs Fresh City restaurants in the Boston area and elsewhere in New England.

For more on the bankruptcy of the Texas-based Souper Salad, please go to the Nation's Restaurant News link below.

Souper Salad files for bankruptcy protection

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.

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Feng Shui Restaurant Opens in Natick

The people behind two Chinese and Japanese restaurants in the Boston area (one north of Boston and one south of Boston) have opened a third location, this one being west of the city.

According to their website, Feng Shui is now open in Natick, joining existing locations in Chelmsford and Cohasset (another one is coming to Tyngsboro as well). The new Feng Shui, which is located on Route 9, offers a variety of dining options, including sushi, hibachi, a buffet, tapas, and classic Chinese dishes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and has a takeout menu for those looking to bring food home.

The address for this new Chinese and Japanese eatery in Natick is: Feng Shui, 801 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. The phone number is (508) 651-1234. And their website can be found at: http://www.gofengshui.com/

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Maki Maki Is Opening in Allston

It looks like a new all-you-can-eat sushi buffet spot is coming to Allston.

According to The Harvard Crimson and Grub Street Boston, Maki Maki is planning to open on Western Avenue, moving into one of a number of properties that Harvard University owns. The Crimson article mentions that the 180-seat restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner daily and is not going to be serving alcohol. Its location will be in the Brighton Mills Shopping Center, which is just west of Everett Street and a few blocks west of North Harvard Street.

Expect Maki Maki to open sometime this summer, according to the Crimson.

[April 20, 2012 update: Posts by the Grub Street site and the Eater Boston site both indicate that Maki Maki is now open.]

Based on the address for the Brighton Mills Shopping Center, it appears that the address for this new sushi spot in Allston is: Maki Maki, 370 Western Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

For more information on the opening of Maki Maki in Allston, please go to the Harvard Crimson and Grub Street Boston links below.

The Harvard Crimson
Sushi Restaurant To Open in Allston

Grub Street Boston
Allstonians Prefer Kmart to Sushi?

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Report: Do Terrorists Have Restaurant Salad Bars and Buffets in Their Sights?

A report has come out this week that hotels and restaurants may be a potential target of terrorists, with the poisoning of restaurant salad bars and buffets being a possible plan.

According to CBS News, a plot was uncovered earlier in 2010 where terrorists might be looking into the placing of ricin and cyanide into food within salad bars and buffets at restaurants. The report states that the plot may focus on attacks happening at a number of hotels and restaurants during a particular weekend. The article also mentions that a key intelligence source considers this threat to be credible, while earlier this month, the Secretary of Homeland Security implied that people who may be planning acts of terrorism on the United States may currently be in this country already, though it is not clear from the article whether she was talking about the plotters of this specific plan.

CBS says that federal officials have met with some corporate security officers from the hospitality industry about the possible plot, and that the hotel and restaurant industries is now on alert.

For more on this story, please go to the CBS news link below.

Latest Terror Threat in US Aimed to Poison Food

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