Skip's Snack Bar in Merrimac to Close

A roadside eatery north of Boston that has been around for 75 years is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Skip's Snack Bar in Merrimac is closing its doors, with an article from The Daily News stating that the E Main Street spot is planning to shutter on August 28. The article gives the following statement from co-owner Lori Mathews:

It's time for a change and as with any good run, it has to end eventually. The restaurant and hospitality industry has had a tough time in the past three years, many have struggled, several have closed. We feel that we have adapted and endured when others did not. So, we are not victims of a covid closure, but we have chosen at this time to move on to a new chapter in our lives.

Skip's, which first opened in 1947, offered such items as burgers, hot dogs, curly fries, wings, lobster rolls, tuna melts, ice cream, and more.

The address for Skip's Snack Bar is 92 E Main Street (Route 110), Merrimac, MA, 01860.

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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Sullivan's at Castle Island in South Boston Opens, But with Restrictions

One of the city's best-known seaside dining spots is open once again, though its setup is much different now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

According to its Facebook page, Sullivan's at Castle Island in South Boston has reopened, but a number of changes have come to the place. One of the biggest issues is that the road to the eatery and parking lot are both closed, which means that Sullivan's can only be accessed by foot; in addition, both customers and workers are required to wear face masks, while barriers have been installed at the counters--and there is a designated outside pickup area for orders. Customers are able to order in three ways--online, by phone, or walk-in--with the latter being limited in part because of social distancing.

Sullivan's, which has been in business for nearly 70 years, temporarily closed down around the end of March after doing doing curbside pickup and delivery for a few weeks around the early part of the coronavirus outbreak.

[Earlier Article]
Sullivan's at Castle Island in South Boston Closes Until at Least Early May

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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Sullivan's at Castle Island in South Boston Closes Until at Least Early May

One of Boston's best-known seaside dining spots has shut down for the time being due to the coronavirus crisis, and it won't reopen until next month at the very earliest.

According to a Facebook post from the restaurant, Sullivan's at Castle Island in South Boston is now closed, with the note saying that they will remain shuttered through at least the first week of May. Sullivan's, which had been doing curbside pickup and delivery over the past few weeks, says that "when the time is right, we will be here to provide the comfort beach food that our family has provided to your family for close to 70 years."

Sullivan's is a popular seasonal snack shack that is known for such options as hot dogs, burgers, fried clams, chicken sandwiches, lobster rolls, and onion rings.

Thanks to Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

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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Sullivan's at Castle Island Returns to the Hood Milk Bottle by the Boston Children's Museum

by Marc Hurwitz

An iconic seaside snack shack has returned to one of the most distinct landmarks in all of Boston.

According to a Facebook post, Sullivan's at Castle Island is back at the Hood Milk Bottle by the Boston Children's Museum along Fort Point Channel, with the note indicating that they will be there seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Fridays) until the end of September. Last year, Sullivan's took over the Milk Bottle in late June, offering a limited menu that included such items as hot dogs, lobster rolls, salads, and soft-serve ice cream. It is not yet known if the offerings are the same this season; as soon as we see the menu, we will post an update here.

Sullivan's first opened at Castle Island in South Boston in 1951.

Thanks to  Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting 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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Sullivan's at Castle Island Is Expanding to the Hood Milk Bottle at the Boston Children's Museum

It looks like an iconic seaside snack shack is taking over one of the most offbeat landmarks not just in the city of Boston but perhaps in the entire country.

A check on a licensing board page posted last week indicated that Castle Island, LLC is applying for a new common victualler license to operate at the Hood Milk Bottle by the Boston Children's Museum along Fort Point Channel, with Brendan Sullivan of Sullivan's at Castle Island being the manager listed. A message sent to Sullivan's requesting more information was not returned, but Caught in Southie now says that "A little birdie" tells them that Sullivan's will indeed be taking over the Milk Bottle as the new food vendor, with a limited menu offered there. The post says that if all goes well, Sullivan's at the Milk Bottle could be up and running by the end of June.

The Hood Milk Bottle was once nominated by USA Today for quirkiest landmark in the United States, with the award ultimately going to the Big Tex statue at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Sullivan's, which first opened in South Boston in 1951, is known for its hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, and more.

[June 20 update: According to a segment on WCVB 5 last night, Sullivan's plans to open at the Hood Milk Bottle on Wednesday, June 28, and it will remain open through September.]

[June 28 update: Boston Magazine confirms (in an update to an earlier article) that Sullivan's opens at the Hood Milk Bottle today; its hours will be 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, with closing hours possibly being later on Friday and Saturday nights.]

[June 29 update: A tweet from the place says that Sullivan's will be open until 9:00 PM on Friday nights at the Hood Milk Bottle, while it appears that it will be open until 6:00 PM all other nights, including Saturday.]

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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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Sullivan's in South Boston Is Apparently Not Opening a Second Location in Hingham After All

Early last year, we reported that an iconic snack shack in South Boston was planning to open a second location, with this one being at a waterfront space on the South Shore. Now we have learned that this will apparently not be happening after all.

A message sent from Sullivan's at Castle Island indicates that at this point in time, there are no plans to open a new location at the Hingham Bathing Beach near Monument Park just off Route 3A. In January of 2015, it was mentioned that the eatery was possibly going to take over the beach's concession stand and tentatively be open daily from March to November, with the place looking to open sometime this year. As of now, it appears that these plans have fallen through, but if we hear of any further changes, we will post an update here.

Sullivan's first opened in South Boston in 1951 and has been known in part for its hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, and more, along with its spectacular water views. Its website can be found at http://www.sullivanscastleisland.com/

[Earlier Article]
Sullivan's in South Boston May Open a Second Location in Hingham

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Outdoor Dining Areas In the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Christie's in Lynn Is Closing Today

A classic North Shore snack shack that has been in business for more than a century is shutting down for good.

The Daily Item is reporting that Christie's in Lynn closes its doors today, as owner George Dean has apparently decided to retire from the business. The article mentions that the Dean family posted an advertisement in Wednesday's edition of the paper saying they were indeed saying goodbye, adding that the Lynnway eatery had been "serving the public since 1903."

Christie's was a popular spot for beachgoers (Nahant Beach is across the street), offering such items as burgers, hot dogs, roast beef sandwiches, fried clams, fish sandwiches, milkshakes, and more over the years.

The address for Christie's is 17 Lynnway, Lynn, MA, 01902.

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

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Sullivan's in South Boston May Open a Second Location in Hingham

An iconic snack shack in South Boston is looking to open a second location, with this one being along the water on the South Shore.

The Hingham Journal is reporting that Sullivan's at Castle Island is working with the town to open another location at the Hingham Bathing Beach, which is just off Route 3A near Monument Park. The article says that the eatery would take over the beach's concession stand and tentatively be open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily from March to November, with the bathhouse being replaced by a new structure that would be between 2,000 and 2,400 square feet in size. If all goes as planned, the new location of Sullivan's could be opening sometime in 2016.

[March 29 update: The Boston Globe mentions that plans for Sullivan's to open in Hingham are still on, with the town's beach trustees allowing the owner of the eatery a 60-day extension for issues related to engineering (including utilities). The article says that the new location would have a similar feel to that of the original snack shack at Castle Island, including 2,400 square feet of space and new restrooms. If all goes well, the new Sullivan's could open next spring.]

Sullivan's, which first opened in Southie in 1951, is a seasonal spot by the water that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as a place to go for hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, and more. The review can be found at the link below:

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

Thanks to BostInno for bringing this to our attention.

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Dave, Dan, and Michael Andelman of The Phantom Gourmet Purchase the Mendon Drive-In

The three brothers behind The Phantom Gourmet have decided to do a bit of shopping, purchasing a landmark drive-in that is also home to a popular snack bar.

According to a Facebook post sent out on Friday, Dave, Dan, and Michael Andelman are the new owners of the Mendon Twin Drive-In, with 2014 being a transition year as the present owners consult with the brothers while also saying their goodbyes to their customers. The note says that the Andelmans are interested in the preservation of the drive-in while also "expanding new horizons," though it is not yet known what the exact plans will be at this point in time, nor is it known if any changes will be made to the snack shack, which features a wide variety of food and drink items, including clam chowder, popcorn chicken, hot dogs, burgers, cheese fries, tacos, burritos, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, soft serve, frozen yogurt, root beer floats, and raspberry lime rickeys.

[April 18 update: A Facebook post from the Phantom Gourmet indicates that the Mendon Twin Drive-In opens for the season this evening, with this also being the Andelman brothers' first day as the new owners.]

The address for the Mendon Twin Drive-In is 35 Milford Street, Mendon, MA, 01756, while its website can be found at http://www.mendondrivein.com/now-showing/

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Stoughton Theater Reopening; Will Offer Food and Possibly Alcohol

An historic theater south of Boston that closed nearly three years ago is going to be reopening, and it looks like it may once again have a snack bar with burgers, hot dogs, and more--though the serving of alcohol is not a definite as of yet.

According to the Stoughton Journal and Wicked Local, the cinema in Stoughton Center is going to reopen under the original name--the State Theatre--replacing the Stoughton Cinema Pub that closed in late 2007. The person behind the planned opening of the State Theatre is hoping to have a full-service snack bar on the premises, and is currently weighing options for what will be offered, but it seems that burgers, dogs, and perhaps pizza may be options. He is also looking into the availability of a liquor license so beer and wine can be served at the theatre once again.

The article mentions that classic movies and drive-in films may be shown at the State Theatre once it opens, and live performances by bands, comedians, and others will also be part of the plan.

The address for the upcoiming theatre will be: State Theatre, 807 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072.

For more information on the planned opening of the theatre, please go to the Stoughton Journal/Wicked Local link below.

SNYDER'S STOUGHTON: Stoughton theater to reopen

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Summer Shack Opens Snack Shack on Georges Island

A well-known chef who is behind several local seafood restaurants has opened another spot, with this one being a snack shack on an island in Boston Harbor.

According to the restaurant group's website, Jasper White's Summer Shack has a new member of the family, namely a snack bar on Georges Island. This is the second Summer Shack snack bar to open in Boston Harbor, as nearby Spectacle Island has been home to one for a couple of years now.

The menu at the Georges Island snack shack includes such items as clam chowder, fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, clam rolls, fried shrimp and scallop baskets, burgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches. Desserts are available, including a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar.

The website says that the snack bar on Georges Island will be open year-around.

The original Summer Shack is located by the Alewife T station in Cambridge, with other locations being in the Back Bay, Hingham, and at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The Summer Shack website is at: http://www.summershackrestaurant.com/

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