Interested in discovering the newest restaurant and retail additions to the South End? From a Mexican restaurant to a barbershop, read on for a rundown of the newest businesses to make their debut in this Boston neighborhood.
Burro Bar
1357 Washington St.
Burro Bar is a cocktail bar and Mexican spot from chef Joe Cassinelli’s Alpine Restaurant Group, the team behind Somerville's The Painted Burro. After making its debut in Brookline in early 2017, it's now expanded to the South End, taking over the former La Motta's space.
Burro Bar offers creative takes on Mexican cuisine, with dishes like lamb barbacoa tamales, charred octopus with almond mole and queso fundido. Behind the bar, you'll find more than 100 varieties of tequila, available for sipping or in a variety of margaritas, like sweet strawberry-basil or the spicy El Diablo.
Burro Bar currently holds four stars out of 18 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Hope N., who reviewed Burro Bar South End on June 6, wrote, "I'm hard to impress when it comes to Mexican food, but this place was phenomenal. The service was great, the salsa was fresh and flavorful, the queso fundido was perfectly melty, and the chicken enchiladas were amazing."
Yelper Frank S. wrote, "I felt that the atmosphere and ambiance was very enjoyable, the restaurant was busy but not too loud, and the service and drinks were both great. I love that Burro Bar opened in the South End, and look forward to coming back for dinner soon!"
Burro Bar South End is open from 5 p.m.–11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on weekends.
Society Barbershop
770 Tremont St.
Owned by two longtime stylists with a combined 20+ years of experience, Society Barbershop offers classic haircuts, fades and shaves, with discounts for children and seniors.
Customers can book a cut, beard trim or straight-razor shave on the shop's Booksy page.
Yelp users are excited about Society Barbershop, which currently holds five stars out of eight reviews on the site.
Yelper Joey F., who reviewed Society Barbershop on March 3, wrote, "I've been going to Alex for almost two years now, and I have never had a bad experience with him. He takes care of all his clients like family and ensures that you are looking your best."
Yelper Vanessa G. wrote, "Local, clean, efficient barbershop. Freddy did a wonderful job and my son loved his haircut. Super affordable!"
Society Barbershop is open from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sunday.
Southern Proper
600 Harrison Ave.
Though it's located in the base of the modern Girard building, Southern Proper aims to provide a down-home vibe, with rustic soul-food fare like fried chicken and biscuits and an interior full of pine wood and antique fixtures.
Chef-owner Jason Cheek (Toro, KO Prime) hails from North Carolina, and his menu features plenty of classic Southern eats like pulled pork, homemade hot links and shrimp & grits. Brunch options include a biscuit bread pudding French toast and a benedict with collard greens, ham and pimento hollandaise.
Southern Proper currently holds 3.5 stars out of 74 reviews on Yelp, indicating fair reviews.
Yelper Jamie W., who reviewed Southern Proper on June 6, wrote, "Southern Proper does a bunch of things right. Its decor is kitschy in a very cute way, and the high ceilings make the whole vibe light and airy while still feeling cozy somehow."
Yelper Tori W. wrote, "I've been wanting to try this place, because I'm guilty of loving a restaurant with Instagram-worthy decor. My friends and split the hush puppies and the pimento cheese popovers."
Southern Proper is open from 5 p.m.–11 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.–midnight on Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and 5 p.m.–midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday.
Bootleg Special
400 Tremont St.
Fans of Cajun and Creole cuisine should make a beeline to Bootleg Special, which bills itself as a "good old Southern crawfish joint" specializing in New Orleans-style seafood boils.
The namesake boil features crawfish, lobster, shrimp and corn on the cob, all simmered in a spicy broth. Diners can also build their own boils with seafood options like Alaskan king crab legs, crawfish and mussels and add-ons like potatoes and andouille sausage.
Not feeling the boils? The menu also offers four kinds of po'boys and some small plates like crawfish mac and cheese.
Bootleg Special currently holds four stars out of 62 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Vania Y., who reviewed Bootleg Special on June 6, wrote, "Came here for brunch and food was delicious. We ordered the Bootleg mussels and soufflé pancake. The mussels were $17 and could have easily been a $25 dish. Generous portion of mussels."
Jean Y. noted, "I didn't know what to expect of the food, but was pleasantly surprised by the small dishes (which really weren't small). I shared the crawfish mac and cheese, the cola ribs, shrimp poor boy sandwich, and finished with the beignets with bourbon. Each dish was different and delicious."
Bootleg Special is open from 4 p.m.–11 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 4 p.m.–1 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.–1 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on Sunday.
