Johnny Boy Plans to Open a Brick-and-Mortar Location in Boston's Fort Point

It looks like a popup sandwich shop with Filipino influences may be opening a permanent location near the Boston waterfront.

According to a source, Johnny Boy is planning to open a brick-and-mortar shop in Fort Point, moving into a space on Summer Street. The website for the business seems to confirm this, saying "coming soon" to Summer Street while showing photos of an indoor space.

Johnny Boy has been doing popups in the Greater Boston area, offering such options as breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken sandwiches, veggie sandwiches, chicken bites, and tamarind tots.

The address for the upcoming brick-and-mortar location of Johnny Boy is 300 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at https://www.johnnyboy.now/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/johnnyboy.now/

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

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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

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

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Figaro's in Boston's Leather District to Expand to the Fenway

A popular Italian sandwich shop in downtown Boston is going to be expanding to another part of the city.

According to multiple sources, Figaro's in the Leather District is going to be joined by another location in the Fenway, moving into a space on Peterborough Street. (This has been confirmed in a Facebook post from the business.) Once it opens, expect a variety of sandwiches including such possibilities as an Italian, hot ham, steak and cheese, meatball, eggplant, chicken pesto, and more.

In addition to downtown Boston, there had once been a location of Figaro's at Revere Beach as well.

The website for Figaro's can be found at https://www.figarosboston.com/

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

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Blackbird Doughnuts, Sally's Sandwiches to Open in East Boston

The team behind a handful of gourmet doughnut shops and sandwich shops in the Boston area will be bringing the two concepts to a waterfront location.

According to a Facebook reel from Gallows Group founder Rebecca Roth Gullo, Blackbird Doughnuts and Sally's Sandwiches will be opening in East Boston, moving into a space at Clippership Wharf. In the reel, Rebecca mentions that there will also be a "little sprinkling of The Gallows," which was a gastropub that resided in Boston's South End until closing in 2021, and that the business plans to open sometime in the late spring or early summer.

Locations of Blackbird Doughnuts can be found in Boston's South End, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Brighton, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Newton Centre, and Watertown, while Sally's Sandwiches can be found in the South End, Harvard Square, and Brighton. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.com/

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Calisto's Has Replaced Boston Pocket and Deli in the South End

A brand new sandwich shop has debuted in the South End of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from the place within the South End Community Board group page, Calisto's is now open on Tremont Street, with the owners taking over the former Boston Pocket and Deli space. The post gives more info on the new spot, including the following:

Calisto's is a European-inspired sandwich shop combining classic deli tradition with modern creativity....A little about us: Pat grew up in an Italian household and has dreamed of running his own food business for as long as he can remember (he went and got a degree in entrepreneurship to back it up). Nick has always had a passion for design, aesthetics, and the arts. When we saw an opportunity to take over a struggling deli and pour everything we had into it, we jumped. We're combining those two worlds — great food and a space that feels intentional and inviting — to create something we think the South End deserves.

The menu for Calisto's includes breakfast sandwiches and hot and cold lunch sandwiches.

The address for Calisto's is 682A Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://www.calistosdeli.com/

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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.]

(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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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/

(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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All'Antico Vinaio Opens in Boston's Back Bay

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

According to a press release, All'Antico Vinaio is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Boylston Street between Clarendon Street and Dartmouth Street in the Copley Square area. As mentioned in an earlier article here, All'Antico Vinaio first started out in Florence in 1991 and currently has other U.S. locations in New York, California, and Nevada, and they are known for their panini options; in 2017, Saveur included All'Antico Vinaio in an article on "The World's Best Sandwiches."

The address for the Back Bay location of All'Antico Vinaio is 565 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. The website for all locations is at https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/

[Earlier Article]
All'Antico Vinaio to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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

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My Mother's Cutlets Opens in Boston's North End

Early last year, it was reported that a new restaurant would be replacing a North End dining spot (and it would be under the same ownership), and now we have learned that it has debuted.

According to a press release along with multiple sources, My Mother's Cutlets is now open on Hanover Street, taking over the space where Rina's had been. The new eatery, which is run by The Varano Group (which was also behind Rina's and runs Strega North End and Nico Ristorante), offers sandwiches such My Mother’s Special (cutlet, vodka sauce, and burrata) and The Hot Paisan (cutlet, prosciutto, mozzarella, hot honey, and basil) as well as customizable sandwiches, with options including chicken, eggplant, veal, and meatballs, along with bread, sauce, cheese, dressing options, and add-ons such as roasted red peppers, pancetta, and broccoli rabe.

Rina's, which had been in the space from 2015 until early 2024, was known in part for its pizza.

The address for My Mother's Cutlets is 371 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at https://mymotherscutlets.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rina's in Boston's North End Has Closed; New Concept on Its Way to the Space

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

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All'Antico Vinaio Is Opening in the Copley Square Area of Boston's Back Bay

A group of sandwich shops with roots in Italy will be expanding to Boston.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), All'Antico Vinaio is planning to open in the Back Bay sometime this year, with a Facebook post from The Boston Calendar sharing a link from joyraft.com that says the new outlet will move into a space on Boylston Street in the Copley Square area. All'Antico Vinaio first started out in Florence in 1991 and currently has a handful of U.S. locations in New York, California, and Nevada, and they are known for their wide variety of panini; in 2017, Saveur included All'Antico Vinaio in an article on "The World's Best Sandwiches."

The website for All'Antico Vinaio can be found at https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/

[September 26 update: According to a press release, All'Antico Vinaio is slated to have its grand opening at 565 Boylston Street in the Back Bay on Friday, October 3.]

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

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Bennett's Sandwich Shop to Open in the Former Grainmaker Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A small group of sandwich shops with roots in Maine will be opening another location in the Greater Boston area, and this one will be in the heart of the city.

According to a Bluesky post from @conciergeboston.bsky.social, Bennett's Sandwich Shop is planning to open in Downtown Crossing, moving into the space on Summer Street that had been home to Grainmaker until it closed down approximately a year ago. Once it opens, the new location will join others locally in the Fenway and in Burlington, along with restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, Salem, NH, and Kennebunk, ME, the last of which is the original and has been a popular spot with beachgoers since 1982.

Bennett's Sandwich Shop is known in part for its lobster rolls and cheesesteaks.

The address for the upcoming location of Bennett's Sandwich Shop in Downtown Crossing is 91 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.bennettssandwichshop.com/

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

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Chez Casa in Salem Has Closed

A popular sandwich shop on the North Shore has shut down.

According to a Bluesky post from Adam Reilly of GBH News, Chez Casa in Salem is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the Bridge Street eatery saying "We have decided to close ChezCasa permanently. Thank you everyone for 5 amazing years!" It appears that Garcon SuperSlice Pizza Pie Parlor, which is on New Derby Street in Salem and which has an ownership connection to Chez Casa, remains in operation.

Chez Casa first opened in the fall of 2019, taking over the space where Stacia's Place had been until closing in late 2017.

The address for the now-closed Chez Casa was 97 Bridge Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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

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Nonantum Press Room Is Opening in Newton

A new sandwich shop is on its way to a space a few miles west of Boston.

According to multiple sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Nonantum Press Room is going to be opening in Newton, moving into a space on Adams Street in the city's Nonantum neighborhood. The Facebook page for the upcoming spot says that it will be a "neighborhood sandwich shop specializing in paninis, elevated sandwiches, soulful soups and crisp salads," while What Now Boston indicates that owner Jim Donovan hopes to open the place sometime in October.

The address for Nonantum Press Room is 191 Adams Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Its website can be found at https://www.nonantumpressroom.com/

[March 5, 2025 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that Nonantum Press Room is now open.]

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

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Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common Is Closing

The sole Boston location of a chain of sandwich shops that resides in a former comfort station is closing.

According to a message sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub (via an article from CommonWealth Beacon), Earl of Sandwich at Boston Common is getting ready to shut down, as the eatery--which has lost more than $2 million since opening 11 years ago--has been given approval by the city to end its 15-year lease four years early. The article mentions that the city will seek a new tenant this fall for the structure, which used to be a public bathroom known as the Pink Palace for its pink-colored masonry, and the city is also open to the possibility of a tenant with a beer and wine license.

There had also been an Earl of Sandwich at Logan Airport in East Boston as well, but it closed a number of years ago. 

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

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The Bohemian Club Plans to Open in Salem

A local musician is looking to open a dining spot on the North Shore.

According to an article from Vanyaland, Aaron Perrino (The Sheila Divine, Dear Leader, Aaron and the Lord) is planning to open The Bohemian Club in Salem, which is billing itself as "a quirky upscale takeout sandwich & salad shop inspired by the occult and dark arts." Vanyaland mentions that Perrino has started a Mainvest campaign to help get the place up and running, with the goal being to raise $75,000 by the end of June.

A sample menu posted on Vanyaland and Mainvest shows that The Bohemian Club may offer poutine and pizza in addition to salads and sandwiches.

The Instagram page for The Bohemian Club can be found at https://www.instagram.com/bohemianclubsalem/

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!

Avenue Deli in Lexington Opens New Location in Newton

A deli in the northwest suburbs has been joined by another location a few miles to the south.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Avenue Deli in Lexington Center has expanded to a new outlet in Newton, taking over the space on Beacon Street that had been home to Caprese Cafe & Pizzeria. The menu for the new spot includes a wide variety of sandwiches including corned beef, pastrami, egg salad, salami, bologna, and liverwurst, along with soups, salads, pizza, fish and chips, chicken fingers, and more.

Avenue Deli was established in 2009, coming under new ownership in 2013; it had once been located in Watertown.

The address for the new outlet of Avenue Deli is 1134 Beacon St, Newton, MA, 02461. Its website can be found at https://www.avenuedelinewton.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!

Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop in Danvers Looking for New Home

A sub shop on the North Shore that has been in business for a long time is in need of a new home.

According to a source, Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop in Danvers has to leave its space on Hobart Street, with a Salem News article saying that its building is slated for demolition on October 1 as it will be one of a number of downtown addresses being replaced by the Maple Square Mixed Use Development. The post mentions that owner Peter Rakip said in a Facebook town page that "we have been told to turn our keys in and turn over the property to the developers," though the sub shop remains open for now while Rakip looks for a new home.

Betty Ann's first opened its doors back in the early 1950s.

The current address for Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop is 7 Hobart Street, Danvers, MA, 01923. Its website can be found at https://www.bettyannssubs.com/

[October 14 update: Our source tells us (via a Salem News article) that Betty Ann's is now planning to move to a new space at 20 Locust Street.]

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!

Thurston Spa in Somerville Has Closed

A decades-old sandwich shop and deli in Somerville appears to have closed permanently.

According to a source, Thurston Spa on Medford Street in the Winter Hill section of the city is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying ""Closed due to owner's illness, high cost of food, lack of business due to COVID. Thank you to our loyal customers. Stay healthy and safe." Thurston Spa, which had been in business for more than 60 years, appeared to have an uncertain future back in 2015 when its owner passed away, but a friend of the owner took it over and kept it in business.

The address for Thurston Spa was 393 Medford Street, Somerville, MA, 02145.

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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Jersey Mike's Subs Is Opening in Burlington

A New Jersey-based chain of sub shops continues to expand through the Greater Boston area, with another new location coming to the northern suburbs.

According to its coming soon section, Jersey Mike's Subs is planning to open in Burlington, moving into a space by Summit Drive and the Middlesex Turnpike just south of the Route 128/95 intersection. Once it opens, the new outlet of the chain will join a number of others in the region, including a new one in Stoneham.

Jersey Mike's Subs got its start in Point Pleasant, NJ back in 1956.

The address for Jersey Mike's Subs in Burlington will be 50 Summit Drive, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for the chain is at https://www.jerseymikes.com/

[January 19, 2023 update: According to a source (Aron Levy), Jersey Mike's Subs has opened its Burlington location.]

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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N-Gon Viet Subs Is Opening in Brockton

A new option for Vietnamese sandwiches is opening south of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, N-Gon Viet Subs is planning to open in Brockton, with the Crescent Street eatery offering banh mi, though it isn't yet known what else might be on its menu. (A Facebook page for the place has been up since the beginning of the year, but very little information has been posted on it.)

The address for the upcoming N-Gon Viet Subs is 321 Crescent Street, Brockton, MA, 02302. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ngonvietsubs/

[May 24, 2022 update: The Facebook page for the place indicates that N-Gon Viet Subs is now open, with its grand opening taking place about a week ago, and that its menu includes such items as spring rolls, eggrolls, tofu nuggets, and smoothies in addition to banh mi.]

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.)