Boloco to Close Its Sole Remaining Location; Downtown Boston Outlet Shuts Down September 25

What was once a local chain of restaurants will soon be officially gone, as its final location is going to be shutting down.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Boloco is closing its downtown Boston location, with the note saying the following:

It's been a hell of a ride. After 29 years, Boloco's last location--50 Congress St, Boston--closes for good on September 25. (Building has been sold, converting to residential.) 10,746 days down, 60 days to go.

Boloco's roots date back more than 25 years, with the Boloco brand replacing "The Wrap" in 2005; there had once been a number of locations throughout the Greater Boston area and elsewhere in New England including two others that have shuttered of late--at Boston Children's Hospital on Longwood Avenue and in Hanover, NH, the latter of which rebranded to BocaSoca under new ownership. All locations were known in part for their burritos and bowls.

The website for Boloco can be found at https://boloco.com/

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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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All'Antico Vinaio Opens in Boston's Downtown Crossing

Earlier this year, it was reported that an award-winning group of sandwich shops with roots in Italy would be opening a second Boston location, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, All'Antico Vinaio is now open in Downtown Crossing, moving into a space on Washington Street near where it meets Milk Street. The new location debuted yesterday, joining another on Boylston Street in the Copley Square along with a handful of other U.S. locations, and it focuses on a variety of panini (in 2017, Saveur included All'Antico Vinaio in an article on "The World's Best Sandwiches").

All'Antico Vinaio first started out in Florence in 1991.

The address for the new location of All'Antico Vinaio in Downtown Crossing is 330 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for All'Antico Vinaio is at https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/

[Earlier Article]
All'Antico Vinaio Plans to Open New Location in Boston's Downtown Crossing

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A New Restaurant/Bar May Be Coming to the Former Clarke's Space by Faneuil Hall in Boston

A few months ago, it was reported that a bar in downtown Boston that had been around for more than 50 years was closing its doors. Now we have learned that a new dining and drinking spot could be coming to the space, and the person behind a group of local pubs appears to be involved.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, the holder of the liquor license for Clarke's by Faneuil Hall (Merchants Row Corporation) has petitioned to transfer the license to MerchRow LLC which would operate a restaurant and bar at that location. The notice mentions that the place--which apparently doesn't yet have a name--would have two rooms and a bar area along with a seasonal patio, and that John Jacob (Napper Tandy's in Norwood, Walpole, Millis) is the manager listed. More should be known about the proposal by next week, so stay tuned for updates.

Clarke's first opened in 1975, being known as one of the last of the old-school drinking spots in the Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area; it closed its doors for the last time in April.

The address for the former Clarke's space is 21 Merchants Row, Boston, MA, 02109.

[Earlier Article]
Clarke's at Faneuil Hall in Boston Is Closing

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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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Zinneken's to Expand, Opening a New Location in Downtown Boston

A group of bakery-cafes known for their Belgian waffles will be expanding to a new location, and this one should be popular with college students.

According to a message sent from Adam Castiglioni of @conciergeboston.bsky.social along with an article from What Now Boston, Zinneken's is planning to open by Boston Common and Emerson College, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

hey boston we've got something really sweet coming your way… Zinneken's Waffles is popping up at Boston Common think: warm, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside Belgian waffles plus coffee  + ice cream  to keep you going (or treat yourself… no judgment) 

What Now says that the new location in Boston plans to open in the winter of 2027, with another in Amherst also coming (and that one could open this fall); both outlets will join the original location in Cambridge's Harvard Square along with others Providence and Glastonbury, CT (a food truck is also part of the business as well).

The address for the upcoming location of Zinneken's in downtown Boston is 98A Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the business is at http://zinnekenswaffles.com/

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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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Deli One in Boston's Downtown Crossing Has Closed

An old-school breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of Boston has shut down.

According to multiple sources, Deli One in the city's Downtown Crossing area is no longer in business, with the Arch Street eatery apparently closing sometime over the weekend. It isn't known why the place closed, nor is it known what might go into the space; if we hear additional information, we will post an update here.

Deli One was known in part for its variety of sandwiches along with its Greek dishes such as moussaka, chicken kabobs, gyros, spinach pie, and baked haddock.

The address for the now-closed Deli One was 85 Arch Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

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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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Baba Shawarma May Be Opening in the Former Haymarket Pizza Space in Boston

A Middle Eastern dining spot may be coming to downtown Boston, and it would apparently be taking over the space where a decades-old pizzeria had once been.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Baba Shawarma is looking to open on Blackstone Street, with the address indicating that it would be moving into the former Haymarket Pizza space. The notice hints that the proposed place may be focusing on takeout, as no seating capacity has been given, while the description says that it would have 870 square feet of space with one room, a kitchen in the back, and storage in the basement.

Haymarket Pizza closed in 2021 after being in business since the 1960s.

The address for the proposed Baba Shawarma is 106 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA 02109.

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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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Champion Pizza Plans to Open in Downtown Crossing in Boston

It looks like a new pizza spot may be opening in the heart of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Champion Pizza is planning to open in Downtown Crossing, moving into a space on Washington Street near where it meets School Street and Water Street. The notice mentions that the proposed eatery would have seating for 10 on the ground floor along with pizza ovens and a prep area while having a total of just over 1,000 square feet of space on two levels (the basement would have food equipment such as refrigerators and a dough mixer), and that the manager listed is Mensure Balyen.

It looks like the address for the proposed Champion Pizza would be 294 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

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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 Zebra Room Opens Below Yvonne's in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A tiny new subterranean steakhouse has opened in downtown Boston, and a local restaurant and hospitality group is behind the spot.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, the Zebra Room is now open in Downtown Crossing, residing in the space below Yvonne's at 2 Winter Place that had previously been home to the Gallery and before that, the Rebel Room. The COJE Management Group (Yvonne’s, Lolita, My Girl, Mariel, RUKA, Coquette) is behind the steakhouse, which is accessed through Yvonne's Library bar by way of a hidden bookshelf door and which features such options as steaks, seafood, rack of lamb, pork chops, martinis, and a variety of wines.

The website for the Zebra Room is at https://www.zebraroom.com/

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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 Peach Cobbler Factory to Expand to New England, Opening a Location in Downtown Boston

A chain of dessert shops with roots down south will be expanding to the region, opening a location in the heart of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Peach Cobbler Factory is planning to open on Summer Street in the city's downtown area, with the business saying in an Instagram post that "y'all, the framers have been WORKING. The bones of this store are everything we dreamed of. Our family walked EVERY inch of that space...and we could already picture it: the smell of fresh cobbler, the sounds of happy guests, the Peach Cobbler Factory vibe Boston deserves. One word for what’s coming: CHOICES! Stay locked in—opening very soon"

The Peach Cobbler Factory was first established in Nashville in 2013 and is currently based in Fort Lauderdale, offering such options as peach cobbler, banana pudding, cheesecake, cookies, ice cream, brownies, shakes, and more.

The address for the upcoming Peach Cobbler Factory in downtown Boston is 77 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the company is at https://peachcobblerfactory.com/

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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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Villa Mexico in Downtown Boston Is Going to Remain Open

Last week, it was reported that a Mexican restaurant in downtown Boston was facing a possible closure, and now we have learned that it will continue in operation.

According to a Facebook post, Villa Mexico on Water Street is going to stay open, with owner Julie King saying that "we could get some personal loans and we could pay our rent that we owed...we are going to stay here...we are doing our best to keep open, but we need you....I will be waiting with my open arms to welcome you as usual and to tell you thank you thank you thank you because if it is not because of you, we would not be here."

The address for The address for Villa Mexico is 121 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website can be found at https://www.villamexicocafe.us/

[Earlier Article]
Villa Mexico in Downtown Boston Is Facing Closure

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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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Villa Mexico in Downtown Boston Is Facing Closure

A beloved Mexican restaurant in the heart of Boston is facing an uncertain future.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Villa Mexico on Water Street is being asked to close down and leave its space, with the post saying the following:

Dear friends, If you get our newsletter, you would have read that we were asked to close and vacate by today (3/30) due to owed rent. We got this news on an email on Thursday(3/26) morning. Our landlord has every legal right to do this. Since getting the email we mobilized any and all community support to ask him to let us finish the year upon payment. As of now, we were asked to clear a common area storage room and given until April 9 to close. We are still going to try to get longer. Why? For these reasons: -try to sell equipment -use that money to pay our team at least 2 week's wages since they're losing their jobs -donate existing supplies and food -close with dignity We know we owe rent. We want to pay it. We've been here 10 years, through thick and thin, and we believe (and hope) we can get this....We promise that as soon as we have more news we will update you on email and social media. In the meantime, please come eat. If you have a business, please come buy equipment. We're not ok, but right now we can't give up and cry. Our team needs us. Thank you

Villa Mexico had once been located within a gas station on Cambridge Street in Beacon Hill until closing in 2013; the dining spot reopened in its current space three years later. The restaurant has received much praise over the years, including "best of" awards from such publications as Boston Magazine and Time Out.

The address for Villa Mexico is 121 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website is at https://www.villamexicocafe.us/

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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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All'Antico Vinaio Plans to Open New Location in Boston's Downtown Crossing

An award-winning group of sandwich shops with roots in Italy that opened its first location in Boston last fall will be opening another location within the city.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, All'Antico Vinaio is looking to open in Downtown Crossing, moving into a space on Washington Street near where it meets Milk Street. The notice mentions that the proposed restaurant would have a dining area with seating for 20 people and an ordering counter, and it hopes to acquire a beer and wine license as well. If approved, the new location of All'Antico Vinaio would join another on Boylston Street in Copley Square along with a handful of other U.S. locations.

All'Antico Vinaio, which started out in Florence in 1991, is known for their variety of panini; in 2017, Saveur included All'Antico Vinaio in an article on "The World's Best Sandwiches."

The address for the upcoming location of All'Antico Vinaio in Downtown Crossing is 330 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for All'Antico Vinaio can be found at https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/

[July 8 update: According to a press release, the new location of All'Antico Vinaio in Downtown Crossing is slated to open on July 15.]

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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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Stack & Schmear Opens at High Street Place in Downtown Boston

A brand new sandwich spot has debuted at a food hall in the heart of Boston, 

According to a press release, Stack & Schmear is now open at High Street Place in the city's downtown area, with the place being a deli that focuses on sandwiches made with fresh-baked bread along with house-made spreads and sauces. The new eatery joins two other spots in the food hall that are under the same ownership--Wheelhouse and Haley Jane's--with options including bagel sandwiches using bagels from Wicked Bagels, marinated shaved steak grilled with melted American cheese, hot peppers, and onions, an Italian sandwich with mortadella, salami, prosciutto and provolone, and a marinated shaved steak sandwich with gochujang aiol, while fountain sodas and dirty sodas are also available.

The Instagram page for Stack & Schmear can be found at https://www.instagram.com/stackschmearbos/

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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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Nova Restaurant Opens in Downtown Boston

A new restaurant featuring a type of cuisine not commonly found in the local area has come to the heart of Boston.

According to its social media, Nova Restaurant is now open in the city's downtown area, moving into a space on Tremont Street across from Boston Common. The new dining spot offers foods found in Central Asia with a focus on dishes from Kyrgyzstan, with its menu including such options as syrniki (cheese pancakes), solyanka (a thick, sour soup), lepeshka (flatbread), borscht, boso lagman (stir-fried hand-pulled noodles), plov (a rice and meat dish), and beef stroganoff.

The address for Nova Restaurant is 131 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/nova__boston/

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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 Halal Guys Opens in Downtown Boston

Last spring, it was reported that another new location of a chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be coming to the heart of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, The Halal Guys has its grand opening today and tomorrow in the city's downtown area, opening in a space on Washington Street on the northern edge of Downtown Crossing just south of State Street and Court Street. The new location joins another in the Theater District along with others in the Fenway, South Bay, Cambridge's Porter Square, Dedham, and further out, in Shrewsbury. 

The Halal Guys, which began in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan, offers such items as chicken and rice, falafel, gyros, hummus, and baklava. 

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in downtown Boston is 241 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02201. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys to Open a New Location in Downtown Boston

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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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Tigerbaby Opens at High Street Place in Downtown Boston

A new eatery from an award-winning local chef/restaurateur has come to a food hall in the heart of Boston.

According to a press release, Tigerbaby is now open at High Street Place in the city's Financial District, with the new spot focusing on dishes with Southeast and East Asian influences. Tiffani Faison and Big Heart Hospitality (Sweet Cheeks Q, Fool's Errand, Dive Bar, Tenderoni's, Bubble Bath) are behind the new place, with Faison (who is a James Beard Award-nominated chef and TV personality) saying "Tigerbaby has lived in my brain and heart for quite some time. It's the food I love cooking and crave the most. I'm beyond excited to share it."

Tigerbaby offers such options as tiger tangerine chicken, popcorn dumplings, Thai basil chicken, black pepper beef and broccoli, and mala mushrooms and chicken, along with beer, coffee, and tea.

More information can be found on Tigerbaby (including hours) at https://www.highstreetplace.com/food-and-beverage/tigerbaby/

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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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Nohri Opens in Boston's Chinatown Neighborhood

A new fusion restaurant has debuted in downtown Boston.

According to an article in boston.com as well as a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Nohri is now open in Chinatown, moving into a space on Tyler Street a short distance south of where it meets Beach Street. The post says that the new spot features "the marriage of Japanese technique and Peruvian ingredients" focusing mostly on handrolls while also having tasting menus and ceviche.

The address for Nohri is 5 Tyler Street, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website is at https://www.nohriboston.com/ while its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/nohriboston

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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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Tiki Cove Plans to Open in Downtown Boston

A new dining and drinking spot may be coming to downtown Boston, moving into a space that has been home to several restaurants and bars over the years.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Tiki Cove is planning to open on Union Street with the address indicating that it would be taking over the space where Loyal Nine had been, and before that, Sons of Boston, The Tap Trailhouse, and The Tap. The notice mentions that the proposed place would include a 19-seat bar and a seasonal outdoor patio, and the manager listed is So Lim Ting, who is presumably the same person who runs franchised locations of boba shop Moge Tee in Cambridge's Harvard Square and Central Square.

The address for the proposed Tiki Cove is 17 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

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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 Alley Food Hall Is Opening in Downtown Boston

It looks like the team behind a local group of food halls known for their self-service beer taps is opening another one, and this one would be in the heart of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, a new Craft Food Halls is seeking to operate at One Post Office Square, with the notice saying that it would be in one large room on the ground floor with various dining and seating areas, and with a proposed closing time of 2:00 AM. If approved, the new location of Craft Food Halls would join locations of various sizes in Eastern Massachusetts including in Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Waltham, and Lexington.

The website for Craft Food Halls is at https://www.craftfoodhalls.com/

[June 18 update: NBC10 Boston states that the new food hall from the Craft Food Halls team is now open in Post Office Square, and it is called The Alley.]

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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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Mamaleh's at High Street Place in Downtown Boston Has Closed

A local group of Jewish delis has gotten a bit smaller, as its location within a Boston food court has shuttered.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mamaleh's at High Street Place in the city's downtown area is no longer in business, with a photo showing the space completely cleared out while the food hall's website has removed the spot from its site. Locations of the deli in Cambridge's Kendall Square, Brookline's Washington Square, and Boynton Yards in Somerville remain in operation.

Mamaleh's debuted with the opening of High Street Place in the winter of 2022.

The website for Mamaleh's can be found at https://mamalehs.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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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.)