Boston Restaurant Talk

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Blue Fish River Tavern Plans to Open in Former Milepost Tavern Space in Duxbury

A new dining spot is on its way to the South Shore, and the person behind it comes from a popular waterfront restaurant known for its steak and seafood dishes.

According to a source, Blue Fish River Tavern is planning to open in Duxbury, moving into the space on Route 3A that had been home to the Milepost Tavern Restaurant. We have been told that Erik Daigle--who was with East Bay Grille for more than 20 years--is overseeing the place and that it will focus on American fare, though no details on its menu have been given as of yet. If all goes as planned, Blue Fish River Tavern could be opening in the late spring of 2023 after renovations are complete.

The address for the upcoming Blue Fish River Tavern is 581 Tremont Street (Route 3A), Duxbury, MA, 02332.

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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!

Taco John's to Expand to Massachusetts; Locations in Lawrence and Leominster in the Works

A chain of quick-service Mexican restaurants whose roots are out west will be expanding to the local area.

According to a press release, Taco John's is going to be opening outlets in Massachusetts, with two being slated for Lawrence (February) and Leominster (March) to start. We have been told that both dining spots will be 2000 square feet in size, and based on the menu at the existing locations, expect to see such options as tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, refried beans, and Potato Olés (fried potato nuggets with spices and sauce options). It appears that there could be at least 22 outlets of Taco John's opening up locally, though no other locations have been given as of yet.

Taco John's started out as a taco stand in Cheyenne, WY, back in 1969 and now has nearly 400 restaurants in 22 states. The website for the chain can be found at https://tacojohns.com/

[February 9, 2023 update: According to a press release, the Lawrence location of Taco John's opens on February 13.]

[June 1, 2023 update: A new press release indicates that the Leominster location of Taco John's opens on June 5.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Monday, December 19, 2022

PZA in Salem Is Reborn Under New Ownership

A North Shore pizza spot has returned under new ownership and with a slightly different name.

According to a source, PZA in Salem has opened back up, and its full name--which had been PZA Gourmet Pizza--is now PZA Grille & Bar. In addition to pizza, the new incarnation of PZA offers such items as calzones, subs, wraps, burgers, club sandwiches, seafood items, pasta dishes, bowls, wings, chicken fingers, steak tips, and more.

It appears that PZA Gourmet Pizza shut down in the fall of 2021, though an exact closing date is not known.

The address for PZA Grille & Bar is 331 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website is at https://www.pzagrille.com/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Medford Brewing Company Opens in West Medford

A former contract brewery has debuted its very own brewery and taproom after being in the works for nearly four years.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Medford Brewing Company is now open in West Medford, moving into an old auto body shop on Harvard Avenue. Co-founders Nick Bolitho and Max Heinegg established the company in 2015 and started looking for a space in early 2019, with the West Medford plans being announced last October.

The address for Medford Brewing Company is 30 Harvard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the company is at https://medfordbrew.com/

[Earlier Article]
Medford Brewing Company to Open Brewery and Taproom in West Medford

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Friday, December 16, 2022

Massimo's Ristorante in Wakefield to Close Down on December 22

This spring, it was reported that an Italian restaurant that has resided in several different locations over the years was up for sale, and now we have learned of a closing date for the place.

According to a Facebook post, Massimo's Ristorante in Wakefield is shutting down after business hours on December 22, with the post saying the following:

Massimos Ristorante has been open almost 30 years serving communities from Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, and Wakefield. But We will be closing up shop here indefinitely 12/23/22. We will be open normal hours until then. And the final day is 12/22/22 open normal hours. We want to thank everyone for your support throughout this journey and we would never have made it this far without all of you!

Massimo's first opened in Wakefield in 2014, offering dishes such as lasagna, eggplant rollatini, fried calamari, spaghetti with garlic and oil, ziti primavera, lobster ravioli, veal parmigiana, and frutti di mare.

The address for Massimo's Ristorante is 19 Centre Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880. Its website is at https://massimositalian.com/

[Earlier Article]
Massimo's Ristorante in Wakefield Is Up for Sale

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

New Owners Taking Over Maria's Restaurant in Braintree; Will Have New Name, Similar Menu

A longtime South Shore restaurant that featured Italian and Greek fare has come under new ownership.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, Maria's Restaurant in Braintree--which has been closed since July--will get a new name and some changes to the space (including a lounge in the front) while the menu will apparently be similar to that of Maria's. The post mentions that new owners Gac Lusha and Edmond Cela hope to get the dining spot open in early 2023 and that they will honor Maria's gift cards.

Maria's first opened in 1950, going through an ownership change in 1979; the restaurant was known for such dishes as fried calamari, meatballs, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, baked ziti, stuffed shells, veal saltimbocca, steak marsala, and pizza.

The address for the restaurant replacing Maria's is 240 Quincy Avenue, Braintree, MA, 02184.

[March 27, 2023 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that the new spot replacing Maria's Restaurant opens today, and it is called Maria's Trattoria.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]