Paul Giorgio 

Bye Bye Bah Bah: Black Sheep Bah Bah-Q on Worcester’s Chandler Street, located in a space that had been home to other restaurants, abruptly shut down near the end of May.

Helfend’s Deli Site for Sale: The building that housed Helfend’s Deli on Worcester’s Highland Street is for sale. The 3500 square foot space is on the market for $1.8 million.

An Auburn Rumor: It looks like Bentley’s Pub at the intersection of Routes 12 and 20 will be closing and soon to be converted to a Starbucks. There is some opposition to the Starbucks drive thru. Bentley’s site was the former home to a Piccadilly Pub for years.

New Eatery Coming to Canal District: There is no timetable, but Niche Hospitality will be opening an oyster bar on the site of the former Compass, which was most recently the District, on Harding Street. In addition to oysters, they will feature rum drinks.

It’s been 90 years: Ralph’s Tavern on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street celebrated its 90th year in business. The Tavern opened right after Prohibition ended and was owned until 1998 by the Fusaro family. Scott Bove purchased it in 1998 and has been a stalwart supporter of Shrewsbury Street since then.

Bad News for Newton Square: It looks like Newton Square Pizza, which sits in Worcester’s Newton Square, abruptly shut down in the middle of June. A post said it was for personal reasons and they hope to re-open.

The Great Two: Two Worcester takeout places in Worcester recently made Phantom Gourmet’s, Great 8 Take Out Spots Worth Driving To: I Love Frankie’s Pizza on Vernon Hill was listed along with the Eggroll Lady on West Boylston Street.

 Interesting Name: MOTW Café (Muslims of the World), a chain of cafes with locations throughout the country, will soon open next to Imperial Buffet in Shrewsbury. Beside coffee, their mission is to raise money for humanitarian causes and create a community where “stories, culture and philanthropy can converge over a cup of coffee”.

Bill Brady Honored: The Massachusetts Restaurant Association has named Bill Brady of Leominster’s “Brady’s” as their Restaurateur Of The Year. This incredible chef is the creative force behind Brady’s and prior to that Sonoma in Princeton and at the Beechwood.  If you haven’t tried his innovative and creative cuisine, you are missing a great deal.

Is it Really Tasty:  It appears that the Canal District has a new eatery. Tasty Experience Bistro at 162 Harding Street recently opened for dinner from Thursday to Saturday from 5 to 9 pm

If There’s Smoke, There is Hot Pot: Smokestack Place on Worcester’s Green Street has been sold to a company that owns two other hot pot eateries, La Mei Hot Pot. They own restaurants in Providence and Brookline. Keep an eye out for a fall opening.

In More Canal News: It looks like Sombrero Taqueria will soon open in Kelly Square next to the phone store.

Further Away:  It appears that a restaurant named Eddy’s Restaurant & Pub will soon open on Worcester’s Stafford Street. Speculation on social media is asking if it is the same Eddy’s Pub that was a Greendale mainstay for years.