Quaker Steak and Lube May Be Coming to Boston, Other New England Cities

A small chain of casual family restaurants that specializes in chicken wings may be coming to New England, including a possible location in Boston.

According to syracuse.com, Quaker Steak & Lube is looking to open several locations in New England, with Portland, ME, being the most likely candidate at this point. The article mentions that other locations of the chain might be opening in Boston, Springfield, Providence, RI, Manchester, NH, and Hartford, CT.

Quaker Steak & Lube, which is based in Sharon, PA, features classic American fare, including wings, soft pretzels, onion rings, burgers, steaks, and baby back ribs. The chain currently has approzimately 40 locations open, with most of them being in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

For more information on the possible opening of Quaker Steak & Lube in Boston and other New England cities, please go to the syracuse.com link below.

Syracuse company to open Quaker Steak and Lube restaurants in New York and New England

Tweet This!

Results of Twitter Meatball Poll

Our latest Twitter poll is now complete, with this poll focusing on the best meatballs in the Boston area. Our previous polls have included a sushi poll (Douzo in the Back Bay won), a cupcake poll (Sweet Cupcakes in the Back Bay and Harvard Square), a steak and cheese poll (Carl's in Waltham), an ice cream poll (Richardson's in Middleton), a roast beef poll (Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly), a chicken wing poll (Buff's Pub in Newton), a macaroni and cheese poll (Fat Cat in Quincy), a fried clam poll (JT Farnham's in Essex), an onion ring poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge), a hot dog poll (Spike's Junkyard Dogs), a pizza poll (Santarpio's in East Boston), a burger poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage), and a lobster roll poll (Neptune Oysters in the North End). Below is the winner of the Twitter meatball poll:

1) Comella's, various locations (64%)

A few other restaurants were picked in the Twitter meatball poll, including Cardullo's (Cambridge), Craigie on Main (Cambridge), Porcini's (Watertown), and Tavolo (Dorchester).

Thanks to those who have voted in our Twitter polls. We will start another poll soon, so keep checking back on our Twitter page at http://twitter.com/hiddenboston.

Tweet This!

Cakes Bakery and Cafe Opening in Arlington

A cafe in Milton that features sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee is going to be opening a new shop in Arlington.

According to the Arlington Patch, Cakes Bakery and Cafe is planning to open on Mass. Ave. (just west of the center of town) in the space where Sweet Sue's Cafe used to be before closing a little more than a year ago. The article indicates that the new spot will likely be similar to the original Cakes Bakery and Cafe on Eliot Street in Milton, with a brief article in the Arlington Advocate stating that menu items will include breakfast sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, soups, stews, wraps, and pot pies. The Advocate also mentions that a catering menu will be available as well.

Cakes Bakery and Cafe may be open by Halloween, according to the Arlington Advocate article. [November 16 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Cakes Bakery and Cafe in Arlington is now open.]

The address for this new eatery in Arlington is: Cakes Bakery and Cafe, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The website for the Milton location can be found at: http://cakesmilton.com/

Tweet This!

Blackstrap BBQ Opening in Winthrop

It looks like a new barbecue joint is getting ready to open just north of Boston.

According to their Facebook page, Blackstrap BBQ will soon be opening on Woodside Avenue in the center of Winthrop. A poster on Chowhound states that it will be moving into the space where Moonstruck Cafe used to be (Moonstruck Cafe is apparently moving into another storefront in Winthrop Center). The Chowhound poster mentions that Blackstrap BBQ looks to be opening later this month.

Once it opens for business, Blackstrap BBQ's hours will be 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays.

[November 3 update: According to their Facebook page, Blackstrap BBQ is now open.]

The address for this new barbecue place in Winthrop is: Blackstrap BBQ, 47 A Woodside Avenue, Winthrop, MA, 02152. Their Facebook page can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winthrop-MA/BS-BBQ/128113320566880

Tweet This!

Ivy Restaurant in Boston Closes Its Doors

A casual upscale cafe in downtown Boston owned by a group that recently went into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy has apparently served its last meal.

According to a voicemail message recorded by Ivy Restaurant, the Temple Place eatery has shut its doors after being in business for nearly five years. Ivy was owned by the Ivy Restaurant Group, which also runs Stoddard's Fine Food and Ale, and which filed for bankruptcy over the summer. A recent article posted here mentioned that only Ivy Restaurant was affected by the reorganization, and a check on Stoddard's indicates that it remains open, at least for now.

The address for this now-closed dining spot was: Ivy Restaurant, 49 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111. Stoddard's is located on the same street, with its address being 48 Temple Place.

Thanks to several posters on the Twitter site for initially bringing this to our attention.

Tweet This!

News Elsewhere: USA Today Includes a Northampton Restaurant Among Its 51 Great Burger Joints

USA Today recently came out with a list of 51 great burger joints across the United States, and a restaurant in Northampton has been included within the list.

According to the article, Local Burger and Fries is the newspaper's pick for the state of Massachusetts, citing the grass-fed beef and locally source vegetables used for the hamburgers. USA Today also mentions the sweet potato fries served at the dining spot, which is located on Route 9 along the eastern edge of the downtown area.

In addition to hamburgers, Local Burger and Fries also offers turkey burgers, veggie burgers, portobello burgers, hot dogs, wings, French fries, onion rings, and milkshakes. The restaurant has a children's menu as well.

Other New England restaurants making USA Today's list of burger joints include Ted's in Meriden, CT; Fat Boy Drive In in Brunswick, ME; The Barley House in Concord, NH; Stanley's Famous Hamburgers in Providence, RI; and The Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington, VT.

The address for Local Burger and Fries is: Local Burger and Fries, 16 Main Street, Northampton, MA, 01060. The phone number is (413) 586-5857. And their website can be found at: http://www.localnorthampton.com/

For a complete list of burger joints that make the list, please go to the following link:

51 great burger joints across the USA

Tweet This!