Smokey Bones Closes All Locations, Including Taunton and Tyngsboro

All locations of a chain of BBQ spots have closed--including the two remaining locations in Eastern Massachusetts--as the chain has gone out of business.

According to its website, locations of Smokey Bones in Taunton and Tyngsboro are no longer in operation, with both outlets saying that they are closed Monday through Sunday, while a note on the home page says the following about the chain itself:

After 27 incredible years, Smokey Bones has officially closed its doors as of Monday, April 27th. This isn't just the end of a restaurant—it's the closing of a chapter filled with shared meals, celebrations, traditions, and countless memories. From first bites to final toasts, you made this place more than just BBQ—you made it home. We are deeply grateful for every visit, every smile, and every moment you chose to spend with us. Serving this community has been an honor we'll never forget. While the smokers have cooled and the doors are closed, the spirit of what we built together will always stay with us.

An article from the Restaurant Business website says that the now-bankrupt franchising company FAT Brands, which includes Smokey Bones under its umbrella of chains, is having all of its brands being sold except for Smokey Bones, saying that it "will not survive the bankruptcy process."

Smokey Bones, which was originally founded in Florida and became part of FAT Brands in 2023, used to have locations in Peabody and Stoughton as well.

The website for Smokey Bones can be found at https://smokeybones.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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Jafra Cafe & Lounge to Open in Cambridge's Inman Square

A brand new Middle Eastern spot is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a Bluesky message from troysch1.bsky.social, Jafra Cafe & Lounge is getting ready to open in the city's Inman Square neighborhood, moving into a space on Hampshire Street a couple of blocks south of the Cambridge Street intersection. The Instagram page for the business indicates that it will be a Middle Eastern cafe and hookah lounge and that it will have gluten-free, vegan, and halal options with a photo showing what appears to be falafel, hummus, and pita.

The address for the upcoming Jafra Cafe & Lounge in Inman Square is 187 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/jafracafelounge/

(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.)

Widowmaker Brewing Co. Is Opening a Beer Garden in Quincy's Wollaston Neighborhood

A local brewer is going to be moving its seasonal beer garden to a new location, and it will sit where an historic theatre that dated back to the 1920s had once been.

Based on information from a Facebook post from the business along with a post from the Quincy Is Everything Facebook page, Widowmaker Brewing Co. is apparently opening a beer garden in the Wollaston section of Quincy, with this being a move from Kilroy Square in the downtown area. The brewery says the following in its post:

We have seen and appreciated the countless messages from people bummed by the idea of us not returning to Quincy for Year 8 of our Beer Garden.  This week the shovels went into the ground, we are moving but we are not leaving. Follow @wollastongardens

QIE mentions that the beer garden will be at the former Wollaston Theatre site on Beale Street and that it plans to debut on May 15, being open Thursday through Saturday.

The website for the upcoming beer garden (which will be called Wollaston Gardens) is at https://www.thewollastongardens.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/wollastongardens/

(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.)

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 3 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/

(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.)

Mon Kou in Attleboro Is Closing

Yet another Polynesian restaurant in the local area is going to be shutting down.

According to an article from NBC 10 WJAR, Mon Kou in Attleboro is closing its doors next month, with a note on the website for the Washington Street dining spot saying the following:

With heavy hearts, Mon Kou Restaurant will be permanently closing its doors on Sunday, May 31st, 2026 due to retirement. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a mix of emotions — gratitude for the countless memories, pride in the meals we've shared, and sadness in saying goodbye. This family-owned business, under the leadership of 2 generations, has been serving the Attleboro community for 54 years....We want to extend our deepest thanks to our loyal customers, dedicated staff, and everyone who has been part of our journey. You've made the Mon Kou Restaurant more than just a place to eat — you've made it a home. We hope you'll join us in these final weeks to share one last meal, a few more stories, and a heartfelt goodbye.

The note goes on to say that the restaurant will be open for full service through May 8, with limited service running from May 9 to May 31 where only seated bar/lounge service and take out will be available. (They also say that gift certificates that are not redeemed by May 31 will be forfeited.)

Mon Kou joins a number of other Polynesian restaurants in the region to close over the years, including Bali Hai in Lynnfield, Weylu's in Saugus, Makaha in Acton, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, The South Pacific in Newton, and Tiki Island in Medford (the last of which has been replaced by Ho Win Palace, which offers Chinese food and sushi).

The address for Mon Kou is 676 Washington Street (Route 1), Attleboro, MA, 02703. Its website can be found at https://www.monkou.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.)

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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[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.)