Sullivan's Castle Island, a South Boston eatery established in 1951, received the "America's Classics" award for the Northeast region at the James Beard Awards last night. According to CBS News Boston, the James Beard Foundation recognized the restaurant for its longstanding cultural role in the city, calling it a place that every Boston resident has a memory tied to.
Co-owners Brendan and Adrienne Sullivan accepted the award in Chicago. Brendan Sullivan told the audience, “This James Beard America's Classics Award is not just for the Sullivan family, it's for the entire city of Boston,” as quoted by CBS News Boston. Known for a simple menu featuring items like double cheeseburgers and hot dogs, Sullivan’s has remained consistent over the decades. Its seasonal reopening on March 1 drew long lines, underscoring its continued popularity.
While Sullivan’s was the only Massachusetts establishment to win this year, other Boston-area nominees included Sarma’s Cassie Piuma and Urban Hearth’s Erin Miller, according to Boston Magazine. In the broader New England region, Sky Haneul Kim of Providence’s Gift Horse won Best Chef: Northeast.
Later this year, the Michelin Guide is expected to release its first Boston edition, raising interest in which local restaurants might earn recognition.
