The Wonder of it All
When Wonder comes to Worcester later this year, it will be the newest of seventeen sites here in the Bay State – six of which are slated to open this summer. Not yet even ten years old, Wonder has been a disrupter in the restaurant space by marrying two key concepts: one old (food hall) and one new (on-demand delivery) bundled alongside the heft of well-proven celebrity-chef brands. How do they do it? While we aren’t privy to their secret sauce, we suspect that Wonder’s ownership of the GrubHub delivery enterprise plays a key role. Either way, we’re certainly excited to have Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuels and Jose Andres waiting on our call for delivery or take-out right down the street on Gold Star Boulevard. Oh yes, and there are cupcakes too.
Legacy: Our Diners Have it
This year the City of Worcester launched its new Worcester Legacy Business Program, designed to honor businesses that have “helped to define the fabric of our neighborhoods”. It should come as no surprise that of the first round of awardees, no less than seven of them are beloved Diners. The list includes The Boulevard, The Kenwood, Lou Roc’s, Marvin’s Corner Lunch, The Miss Worcester, The Parkway, and Ralph’s Chadwick Diner. Other food & restaurant related honorees include: Addie Lee’s Soul Food, Maria’s Kitchen and Ed Hyder’s Market were honored – as well as Jerry’s Tastee Freeze. And, a very special shout-out to the PULSE Magazine’s next door neighbor and beloved hideout, Moynagh’s Tavern. Watch the City’s website for the next call for nominations this December!
Global Domination
Worcester Public Market has added another continent’s representation to their Food Court: Indian Bites officially opened in the WPM in late May, rounding out the list of almost a dozen culinary regions of the world. This “fast-food” option features many of the choices you would expect to see from the same owners of Chandler Street favorite Desi Bar & Grill, and offers catering, take-out and dine-in options. What’s more, Indian Bites’ ample menu includes a whole host of gluten-free, vegetarian and non-too-spicy options alongside traditional Indian favorites.
The Company You Keep:
Among the crowd included in Worcester Business Journal’s 2026 Power 100 list are those that helm three of the region’s most respected hospitality enterprises: Worcester’s Caitlyn Carolan, President of Worcester Restaurant Group (One-Eleven Chop House, The Sole Proprietor and VIA Italian Table); Michael Covino, President of Niche Hospitality Group (The Fix, Green Island Oyster Company, Mezcal, Vivienne, and Vue); and Brad Arcoite, General Manager of Table 3 Restaurant Group (Avellino, The Barn at Wright Farm, Cedar Street Café, Cedar Street Grille, The Duck), which are all located in the Sturbridge area.