Waxy O'Connor's Undergoes 'Many Changes' in Foxborough and More Nearby Restaurant News

We know Foxborough residents don’t just stay in town when they want a night out and a break from cooking.  

Restaurant coming and goings, new business and the best dishes and recipes are among the items that have appeared on Patch sites around the region over the last month.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories covered in February.

Foxborough

Waxy O’Connor's Undergoes ‘Many Changes’

Waxy O’Connor's has served its 16-day liquor license suspension and is ready to reintroduce itself to the Foxborough community as a pub that is food-first and a valued asset to the community.

Foxborough’s Board of Selectmen approved Waxy’s change of manager application this month, officially recognizing Lathrop Jr. as the new manager of the Main Street pub. Lathrop Jr. replaces Gordon Hyde, the manager who was allegedly responsible for many of the pub’s liquor-related problems with the town.

Jake n JOES to Open in Foxborough After ABCC Approves License

Jake n JOES is a step closer to opening its Foxborough location after selectmen in February approved the sports grille’s application for an alteration of premises for the all alcohol restaurant license and application for approval of new stockholders. The restaurant now awaits final approval from the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Once approved by the ABCC, Jake n JOES says it will need “five to six days” to organize staff before opening for business at 25 Foxborough Blvd.

Primo's Sandwich Shop Beat the Odds 25 Years Ago to Become Foxborough Mainstay

Chris Gunn never intended to open a Foxborough sandwich shop, but 25 years later, he’s still going strong. Gunn said originally, when he got out of college, he was working for an aviation company when a friend came to him with a business idea. 

Local Restaurant Owner Loves the Thrill of Business at The Common's 

Brockton native Alfred Mazeiko has been in the restaurant business for a long time but it was his father’s nearly 30 years of employment in Foxborough that gave him the inspiration to buy The Common’s Neighborhood Eatery on Central Street in 2002.

Norton 

McMahon's in Norton the Outcome of a Country Dream 

Karyn McMahon said that she and her husband have always wanted to open up a restaurant together, and now they have put their dream into reality.

McMahon bought a space in Norton from the previous owners who ran Old Colony Café, and in two years have since turned it into their ideal space, now called McMahon's Countryside Grille.

Mansfield 

Cibo Matto in Mansfield Bringing Italian Tradition

Cibo Matto’s Peter Kuplas has been in the restaurant business for more than a quarter of a century, and he’s now brought his experience to Mansfield.

Diane Beatty has owned the Café on the Common in Mansfield for over 12 years now, she said she can’t be happier in the business. Beatty said that over the years in Mansfield, the camaraderie between her, her staff and the town is really what kept the shop going. 

Wrentham

Wrentham's Omega Pizza Crazy About Calzones 

Omega Pizza in Wrentham has tried many firsts in the culinary arts, and while they aren't always successes, they are indeed firsts.

Some of Jennifer Fontaine’s creations in calzones have become really popular, such as the giant calzone, the shepherd’s pie, or the chicken dinner. 

Red Rooster in Wrentham Rooted in the Local Scene

John Lightizer started the Red Rooster in 2010, fulfilling a dream he said he’s had for a long time. Find out what he had to say about the bar, and why the business's location helps drive traffic.

Attleboro

Joyce Lyons has been working in the same Attleboro bar for more than 37 years, and she says she'll never stop. Lyons said she obtained ownership of the Lyons Den 13 years ago when the owner's son, Jim Friedman, asked her to take over. She said it was great because all of her regulars knew and trusted her.

Canton 

Dunkin' Brands Takes Stand Against Obamacare

Canton-based Dunkin' Brands this month joined the fight against Obamacare. Specifically, Dunkin' is lobbying the White House to change its definition of full-time work from at least 30 hours a week to 40 or more per week, CEO Nigel Travis told the Financial Times.

The change would leave Dunkin', as well as other companies, with fewer workers to insure under the health care reform law, which requires large employers to provide health coverage to all full-time workers and their dependents. Those companies who fail to provide coverage could face a penalty of $2,000 per worker. The mandate applies to every company with 50 or more full-time employees. 

Walpole

Walpole Small Business Q&A: Ginjo 

Walpole restaurant Ginjo is essentially three restaurants in one. 

The eatery features a Hibachi, a sushi bar and full Japanese and Chinese menu. Find out what owner Yoyo Li had to say about the restaurant's specialties in a special Q&A with Walpole Patch.

New Bird Hall Property Owner Has Plans for Restaurant in East Walpole

Also in Febraury, East Walpole-based Hollingsworth & Vose announced the sale of the property where the Bird Hall clock tower sits in town. Located at the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets in East Walpole, new owner Dianne Beatty is hoping to turn the plot of land into a restaurant.  

Walpole Small Business Q&A: The Good Food Store and Deli

With "mile-high" sandwiches a local favorite, the Good Food Store and Deli on High Plain Street in Walpole aims to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. Walpole Patch spoke with owner Alan Donaruma to find out more about the sandwich shop.

Dedham 

Kings in Dedham was one of several Boston-area restaurants for which owners Patrick Lyons and Edward Sparks came to an agreement to pay $424,000 to 409 employees for Fair Labor Standards Act violations. Out of the amount, $212,000 were in back wages and "liquidated damages."  

According to an investigation that was done by the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, employees at Kings were not compensated for all work hours.

Fat Tuesday at the Summer Shack 

For many Christians, the night before Lent is usually spent eating before starting the six week fast. And some were at the Summer Shack in Dedham in February for the restaurant's Mardi Gras-Fat Tuesday menu, which featured New Orleans inspired dishes such as BBQ Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and Crab Imperial Stuffed Crab Back. 

Stoughton

Stoughton Selectmen Approve New Pizza Restaurant and Gas Station

It's a possible two-for-one deal. 

Two vacancies along Washington St./Rte. 138 in Stoughton could soon be filled, giving residents another place to grab a slice of pizza or fill up their car in the same stop.

The Stoughton Board of Selectmen in February gave its approval for a new pizza restaurant and new gas station in town, approving the Common Victualler License for M and G Pizza, which will be located in the spot formerly occupied by Main Street Pizza on Washington Street in Stoughton. The restaurant will serve thin crust pizza and subs.

The Last Shot in Stoughton Aims to be First-Rate Sports Bar and Entertainment Spot

The Last Shot Sports Bar & Grill is a family run business and has been at its Washington Street location in Stoughton for four years. Stoughton Patch spoke to the owners of the local favorite hot spot, learning that they have some secret family recipes that they have brought to Stoughton.

Menu items include a wide variety of appetizers - wings, nachos, fried pickles, fired dough, calamari, etc. and a huge selection of burgers, sandwiches, wraps and pizzas.

Easton

Greek Pizzeria Coming Soon to Easton 

New Easton pizzeria Slice of Greek, which announced its arrival last month, is advertising for employees and a "Coming Soon" banner could be seen draped across the storefront in February. The new restaurant will be a pizza shop that also serves Greek cuisine. 

Farmer's Daughter Aims for Spring Opening

The space formerly operated by Main Street Cafe in Easton could be seen under construction in February; the end product will be a new breakfast and lunch restaurant called The Farmer's Daughter. The old building required extensive renovations, according to Farmer's Daughter owner Chandra Gouldrup, who is aiming for a spring opening.

Baldies Coming Soon

Mina's on Washington Street in Easton will soon be replaced with Baldie's Pizza and, by the looks of construction near the main sign that faces Rte. 138, a new sign is coming very soon. 

Max and Pat's Newly Opened at Five Corners

If you're looking to get your Friday night pizza fix tonight, Max and Pat's at Five Corners might be a good bet for those in the Easton area. The restaurant, which replaced Avellino's Pizzeria in December, was advertising "New Low Prices" in February. The restaurant is also hiring drivers and employees to work Fridays and Saturdays.